1H-indole-3-glyoxylamide sPLA2 inhibitors

ABSTRACT

A class of novel 1H-indole-3-glyoxylamides is disclosed together with the use of such indole compounds for inhibiting sPLA 2  mediated release of fatty acids for treatment of conditions such as septic shock.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/469,954 filed Jun. 6, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,654,326 which was a division of application Ser. No. 08/221,916 filed Apr. 1, 1994, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to novel 1H-indole-3-glyoxylamides useful for inhibiting sPLA₂ mediated release of fatty acids for conditions such as septic shock.

2. Background Information

The structure and physical properties of human non-pancreatic secretory phospholipase A₂ (hereinafter called, "sPLA₂ ") has been thoroughly described in two articles, namely, "Cloning and Recombinant Expression of Phospholipase A₂ Present in Rheumatoid Arthritic Synovial Fluid" by Seilhamer, Jeffrey J.; Pruzanski, Waldemar; Vadas Peter; Plant, Shelley; Miller, Judy A.; Kloss, Jean; and Johnson, Lorin K.; The Journal of Biological Chemistry, Vol. 264, No. 10, Issue of April 5, pp. 5335-5338, 1989; and "Structure and Properties of a Human Non-pancreatic Phospholipase A₂ " by Kramer, Ruth M.; Hession, Catherine; Johansen, Berit; Hayes, Gretchen; McGray, Paula; Chow, E. Pingchang; Tizard, Richard; and Pepinsky, R. Blake; The Journal of Biological Chemistry, Vol. 264, No. 10, issue of April 5, pp. 5768-5775, 1989; the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

It is believed that sPLA₂ is a rate limiting enzyme in the arachidonic acid cascade which hydrolyzes membrane phospholipids. Thus, it is important to develop compounds which inhibit sPLA₂ mediated release of fatty acids (e.g., arachidonic acid). Such compounds would be of value in general treatment of conditions induced and/or maintained by overproduction of sPLA₂ ; such as septic shock, adult respiratory distress syndrome, pancreatitis, trauma, bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and etc.

The article, "Recherches en serie indolique. VI sur tryptamines substituees", by Marc Julia, Jean Igolen and Hanne Igolen, Bull. Soc. Chim. France, 1962, pp. 1060-1068, describes certain indole-3-glyoxylamides and their conversion to tryptamine derivatives.

The article, "2-Aryl-3-indoleglyoxylamides (FGIN-1): A New Class of Potent and Specific Ligands for the Mitochondrial DBI Receptor (MDR)" by E. Romeo, et al., The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Vol. 262, No. 3, (pp. 971-978) describes certain 2-aryl-3-indolglyoxylamides having research applications in mammalian central nervous systems.

The abstract, "Fragmentation of N-benzylindoles in Mass Spectrometry"; Chemical Abstracts, Vol. 67, 1967, 73028h, reports various benzyl substituted phenols including those having glyoxylamide groups at the 3 position of the indole nucleus.

European Patent 490263 discloses oxoacetamide derivatives of indoles having serotonin receptor activity.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,449,363 describes trifluoromethylindoles having glyoxylamide groups at the 3 position of the indole nucleus. These compounds are stated to be analgesics in antagonizing phenyl-p-quinone "writhing syndrome."

U.S. Pat. No. 3,351,630 describes alpha-substituted 3-indolyl acetic acid compounds and their preparation inclusive of glyoxylamide intermediates.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,825,734 describes the preparation of 3-(2-amino-1-hydroxyethyl) indoles using 3-indole glyoxylamide intermediates such as 1-phenethyl-2-ethyl-6-carboxy-N-propyl-3-indoleglyoxylamide (see, Example 30).

U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,850 prepares isoxazolyl indolamines using glyoxylamide indoles as intermediates.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,801,594 describes analgesics prepared using 3-indole glyoxylamide intermediates.

The article, "No. 565.--Inhibiteurs d'enzymes. XII.--Preparation de (propargyamino-2 ethyl)-3 indoles" by A. Alemanhy, E. Fernandez Alvarez, O. Nieto Lopey and M. E. Rubio Herraez; Bulletin Do La Societe Chimiqque De France, 1974, No. 12, pgs. 2883-2888 describes various indolyl-3 glyoxamides which are hydrogen substituted on the 6 membered ring of the indole nucleus.

The article "Indol-Umlagerung von 1-Diphenylamino-2,3-dihydro-2,3-pyrroldionen" by Gert Kollenz and Christa Labes; Liebigs Ann. Chem., 1975, pgs. 1979-1983 describes phenyl substituted 3-glyoxylamides.

It is desirable to develop new compounds and treatments for sPLA₂ induced diseases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a novel use of the class of compounds known as 1H-indole-3-glyoxylamides to inhibit human sPLA₂ mediated release of fatty acids.

This invention is also novel classes of 1H-indole-3-glyoxylamides having potent and selective effectiveness as inhibitors of human sPLA₂.

This invention is also pharmaceutical compositions containing the 1H-indole-3-glyoxylamides of the invention.

This invention is also a method of preventing and treating septic shock, adult respiratory distress syndrome, panceatitus, trauma, bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and related diseases by contact with a therapeutically effective amount of the 1H-indole-3-glyoxylamides of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

The 1H-indole-3-acetamides of the invention employ certain defining terms as follows:

The term, "alkyl" by itself or as part of another substituent means, unless otherwise defined, a straight or branched chain monovalent hydrocarbon radical such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, tertiary butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, n-pentyl, and n-hexyl.

The term, "alkenyl" employed alone or in combination with other terms means a straight chain or branched monovalent hydrocarbon group having the stated number range of carbon atoms, and typified by groups such as vinyl, propenyl, crotonyl, isopentenyi, and various butenyl isomers.

The term, "hydrocarbyl" means an organic group containing only carbon and hydrogen.

The term, "halo" means fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo.

The term, "heterocyclic radical", refers to radicals derived from monocyclic or polycyclic, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic nuclei having 5 to 14 ring atoms and containing from 1 to 3 hetero atoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur. Typical heterocyclic radicals are pyrrolyl, furanyl, thiophenyl, pyrazolyl, imidazolyl, phenylimidazolyl, triazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, indolyl, carbazolyl, norharmanyl, azaindolyl, benzofuranyl, dibenzofuranyl, thianaphtheneyl, dibenzothiophenyl, indazolyl, imidazo(1.2-A)pyridinyl, benzotriazolyl, anthranilyl, 1,2-benzisoxazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, purinyl, pryidinyl, dipyridylyl. phenylpyridinyl, benzylpyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, phenylpyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, 1,3,5-triazinyl, quinolinyl, phthalazinyl, quinazolinyl, and quinoxalinyl.

The term, "carbocyclic radical" refers to radicals derived from a saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted 5 to 14 membered organic nucleus whose ring forming atoms (other than hydrogen) are solely carbon atoms. Typical carbocyclic radicals are cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, phenyl, naphthyl, norbornanyl, bicycloheptadienyl, tolulyl, xylenyl, indenyl, stilbenyl, terphenylyl, diphenylethylenyl, phenyl-cyclohexenly, acenaphthylenyl, and anthracenyl, biphenyl, bibenzylyl and related bibenzylyl homologues represented by the formula (bb), ##STR1## where n is a number from 1 to 8.

The term, "non-interfering substituent", refers to radicals suitable for substitution at positions 4, 5, 6, and/or 7 on the indole nucleus (as hereinafter depicted in Formula I) and radical(s) suitable for substitution on the heterocyclic radical and carbocyclic radical as defined above. Illustrative non-interfering radicals are C₁ -C₆ alkyl, C₁ -C₆ alkenyl, C₁ -C₆ alkynyl, C₇ -C₁₂ aralkyl, C₇ -C₁₂ alkaryl, C₃ -C₈ cycloalkyl, C₃ -C₈ cycloalkenyl, phenyl, tolulyl, xylenyl, biphenyl, C₁ -C₆ alkoxy, C₁ -C₆ alkenyloxy, C₁ -C₆ alkynyloxy, C₂ -C₁₂ alkoxyalkyl, C₂ -C₁₂ alkoxyalkyloxy, C₂ -C₁₂ alkylcarbonyl, C₂ -C₁₂ alkylcarbonylamino, C₂ -C₁₂ alkoxyamino, C₂ -C₁₂ alkoxyaminocarbonyl, C₂ -C₁₂ alkylamino, C₁ -C₆ alkylthio, C₂ -C₁₂ alkylthiocarbonyl, C₁ -C₆ alkylsulfinyl, C₁ -C₆ alkylsulfonyl, C₂ -C₆ haloalkoxy, C₁ -C₆ haloalkylsulfonyl, C₂ -C₆ haloalkyl, C₁ -C₆ hydroxyalkyl, --C(O)O(C₁ -C₆ alkyl), --(CH₂)_(n) --O--(C₁ -C₆ alkyl), benzyloxy, phenoxy, phenylthio, --(CONHSO₂ R), --CHO, amino, amidino, bromo, carbamyl, carboxyl, carbalkoxy, --(CH₂)_(n) --CO₂ H, chloro, cyano, cyanoguanidinyl, fluoro, guanidino, hydrazide, hydrazino, hydrazido, hydroxy, hydroxyamino, iodo, nitro, phosphono, --SO₃ H, thioacetal, thiocarbonyl, and C₁ -C₆ carbonyl; where n is from 1 to 8.

The term, "acidic group" means an organic group which when attached to an indole nucleus, through suitable linking atoms (hereinafter defined as the "acid linker"), acts as a proton donor capable of hydrogen bonding. Illustrative of an acidic group are the following: ##STR2## where n is 1 to 8, R₈₉ is a metal or C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl, and R₉₉ is hydrogen or C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl.

The words, "acid linker" refer to a divalent linking group symbolized as, --(L_(a))--, which has the function of joining the 4 or 5 position of the indole nucleus to an acidic group in the general relationship: ##STR3##

The words, "acid linker length", refer to the number of atoms (excluding hydrogen) in the shortest chain of the linking group --(L_(a))-- that connects the 4 or 5 position of the indole nucleus with the acidic group. The presence of a carbocyclic ring in --(L_(a))-- counts as the number of atoms approximately equivalent to the calculated diameter of the carbocyclic ring. Thus, a benzene or cyclohexane ring in the acid linker counts as 2 atoms in calculating the length of --(L_(a))--. Illustrative acid linker groups are; ##STR4## wherein, groups (a), (b), and (c) have acid linker lengths of 5, 7, and 2, respectively.

The term, "amine", includes primary, secondary and tertiary amines.

The 1H-indole-3-glyoxylamide Compounds of the Invention

The compounds of the invention have the general formula (I); ##STR5## wherein; each X is independently oxygen or sulfur;

R₁ is selected from groups (a), (b) and (c) where;

(a) is C₇ -C₂₀ alkyl, C₇ -C₂₀ alkenyl, C₇ -C₂₀ alkynyl, carbocyclic radicals, or heterocyclic radicals, or

(b) is a member of (a) substituted with one or more independently selected non-interfering substituents; or

(c) is the group --(L)--R₈₀ ; where, --(L)-- is a divalent linking group of 1 to 12 atoms selected from carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur; wherein the combination of atoms in --(L)-- are selected from the group consisting of (i) carbon and hydrogen only, (ii) sulfur only, (iii) oxygen only, (iv) nitrogen and hydrogen only, (v) carbon, hydrogen, and sulfur only, and (vi) and carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen only; and where R₈₀ is a group selected from (a) or (b);

R₂ is hydrogen, halo, C₁ -C₃ alkyl, C₃ -C₄ cycloalkyl, C₃ -C₄ cycloalkenyl, --O--(C₁ -C₂ alkyl), --S--(C₁ -C₂ alkyl), or a non-interfering substituent having a total of 1 to 3 atoms other than hydrogen; (that is, the R₂ radical may contain hydrogen atoms, but the remaining atoms comprising the total of 1 to 3 are non-hydrogen);

R₄ and R₅ are independently selected from hydrogen, a non-interfering substituent, or the group, --(L_(a))-(acidic group); wherein --(L_(a))--, is an acid linker having an acid linker length of 1 to 4; provided, that at least one of R₄ and R₅ must be the group, --(L_(a))-(acidic group);

R₆ and R₇ are each independently selected form hydrogen, non-interfering substituent, carbocyclic radicals, carbocyclic radicals substituted with non-interfering substituents, heterocyclic radicals, and heterocyclic radicals substituted with non-interfering substituents.

Preferred Subgroups of Compounds of Formula (I)

A preferred subclass of compounds of formula (I) are those wherein both X are oxygen.

Another preferred subclass of compounds of formula (I) are those wherein R₂ is selected from the group; halo, cyclopropyl, methyl, ethyl, propyl, --O-methyl, and --S-methyl.

Another preferred subclass of compounds of formula (I) are those wherein for R₁, --(L)-- is an alkylene chain of 1 or 2 carbon atoms.

Another preferred subclass of compounds of formula (I) are those wherein for R₁, group R₈₀ is selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, phenyl, naphthyl, norbornanyl, bicycloheptadienyl, tolulyl, xylenyl, indenyl, stilbenyl, terphenylyl, diphenylethylenyl, phenyl-cyclohexenyl, acenaphthylenyl, and anthracenyl, biphenyl, bibenzylyl and related bibenzylyl homologues represented by the formula (bb), ##STR6## where n is a number from 1 to 8. Particularly preferred are compounds wherein R₁ is selected from the group consisting of ##STR7## where R₁₀ is a radical independently selected from halo, C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl, C₁ -C₁₀ alkoxy, --S--(C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl), and C₁ -C₁₀ haloalkyl, and t is a number from 0 to 5.

Another preferred subclass of compounds of formula (I) are those wherein R₄ is a substituent having an acid linker with an acid linker length of 2 or 3. Most preferred are compounds where the acidic group is selected from ##STR8## where n is 1 to 8, R₈₉ is a metal or C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl, and R₉₉ is hydrogen or C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl. Particularly preferred are compounds wherein the acidic group of R₄ is selected from;

--CO₂ H,

--SO₃ H,

--P(O)(OH)₂,

or salt, and prodrug (e.g., ester) derivatives thereof.

Another preferred subclass of compounds of formula (I) are those wherein R₄ is a substituent having an acid linker with an acid linker length of 2 or 3 and the acid linker group, --(L_(a))--, for R₄ is selected from a group represented by the formula; ##STR9## where Q is selected from the group --(CH₂)--, --O--, --NH--, and --S--, and R₈₄ and R₈₅ are each independently selected from hydrogen, C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl, aryl, C₁ -C₁₀ alkaryl, C₁ -C₁₀ aralkyl, carboxy, carbalkoxy, and halo. Most preferred are compounds where the acid linker, --(L_(a))--, for R₄ is selected from the specific groups; ##STR10##

Another preferred subclass of compounds of formula (I) are those wherein R₅ is a substituent having an acid linker with an acid linker length of 3 to 8 atoms. Most preferred are compounds where the acidic group is selected from ##STR11## where n is 1 to 8, R₈₉ is a metal or C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl, and R₉₉ is hydrogen or C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl. Particularly preferred are compounds wherein the acidic group of R₄ is selected from;

--CO₂ H,

--SO₃ H,

--P(O)(OH)₂,

or salt, and prodrug (e.g., ester) derivatives thereof.

Another preferred subclass of compounds of formula (I) are those wherein R₅ is a substituent having an acid linker with an acid linker length of 3 to 8 atoms and the acid linker group, --(L_(a))--, for R₅ is selected from; ##STR12## where r is a number from 2 to 7, s is 0 or 1, and Q is selected from the group --(CH₂)--, --O--, --NH--, and --S--, and R₈₄ and R₈₅ are each independently selected from hydrogen, C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl, aryl, C₁ -C₁₀ alkaryl, C₁ -C₁₀ aralkyl, carboxy, carbalkoxy, and halo. Most preferred are compounds where the acid linker, --(L_(a))--, for R₅ is selected from the specific groups; ##STR13## wherein R₈₄ and R₈₅ are each independently selected from hydrogen, C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl, aryl, C₁ -C₁₀ alkaryl, C₁ -C₁₀ aralkyl, carboxy, carbalkoxy, and halo.

Another preferred subclass of compounds of formula (I) are those wherein R₆, and R₇ are each independently selected from hydrogen and non-interfering substituents, with the non-interfering substituents being selected from the group consisting of C₁ -C₆ alkyl, C₁ -C₆ alkenyl, C₁ -C₆ alkynyl, C₇ -C₁₂ aralkyl, C₇ -C₁₂ alkaryl, C₃ -C₈ cycloalkyl, C₃ -C₈ cycloalkenyl, phenyl, tolulyl, xylenyl, biphenyl, C₁ -C₆ alkoxy, C₁ -C₆ alkenyloxy, C₁ -C₆ alkynyloxy, C₂ -C₁₂ alkoxyalkyl, C₂ -C₁₂ alkoxyalkyloxy, C₂ -C₁₂ alkylcarbonyl, C₂ -C₁₂ alkylcarbonylamino, C₂ -C₁₂ alkoxyamino, C₂ -C₁₂ alkoxyaminocarbonyl, C₂ -C₁₂ alkylamino, C₁ -C₆ alkylthio, C₂ -C₁₂ alkylthiocarbonyl, C₁ -C₆ alkylsulfinyl, C₁ -C₆ alkylsulfonyl, C₂ -C₆ haloalkoxy, C₁ -C₆ haloalkylsulfonyl, C₂ -C₆ haloalkyl, C₁ -C₆ hydroxyalkyl, --C(O)O(C₁ -C₆ alkyl), --(CH₂)_(n) --O--(C₁ -C₆ alkyl), benzyloxy, phenoxy, phenylthio, --(CONHSO₂ R), --CHO, amino, amidino, bromo, carbamyl, carboxyl, carbalkoxy,--(CH₂)_(n) --CO₂ H, chloro, cyano, cyanoguanidinyl, fluoro, guanidino, hydrazide, hydrazino, hydrazido, hydroxy, hydroxyamino, iodo, nitro, phosphono, --SO₃ H, thioacetal, thiocarbonyl, and C₁ -C₆ carbonyl; where n is from 1 to 8.

Preferred compounds of the invention are those having the general formula (II); ##STR14## wherein; each X is independently oxygen or sulfur;

R₁₁ is selected from groups (a), (b) and (c) where;

(a) is C₇ -C₂₀ alkyl, C₇ -C₂₀ alkenyl, C₇ -C₂₀ alkynyl; or a carbocyclic radical selected from the group cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, phenyl, naphthyl, norbornanyl, bicycloheptadienyl, tolulyl, xylenyl, indenyl, stilbenyl, terphenylyl, diphenylethylenyl, phenyl-cyclohexenyl, acenaphthylenyl, and anthracenyl, biphenyl, bibenzylyl and related bibenzylyl homologues represented by the formula (bb), ##STR15## where n is a number from 1 to 8; or (b) is a member of (a) substituted with one or more independently selected non-interfering substituents selected from the group consisting of C₁ -C₆ alkyl, C₁ -C₆ alkenyl, C₁ -C₆ alkynyl, C₇ -C₁₂ aralkyl, C₇ -C₁₂ alkaryl, C₃ -C₈ cycloalkyl, C₃ -C₈ cycloalkenyl, phenyl, tolulyl, xylenyl, biphenyl, C₁ -C₆ alkoxy, C₁ -C₆ alkenyloxy, C₁ -C₆ alkynyloxy, C₂ -C₁₂ alkoxyalkyl, C₂ -C₁₂ alkoxyalkyloxy, C₂ -C₁₂ alkylcarbonyl, C₂ -C₁₂ alkylcarbonylamino, C₂ -C₁₂ alkoxyamino, C₂ -C₁₂ alkoxyaminocarbonyl, C₂ -C₁₂ alkylamino, C₁ -C₆ alkylthio, C₂ -C₁₂ alkylthiocarbonyl, C₁ -C₆ alkylsulfinyl, C₁ -C₆ alkylsulfonyl, C₂ -C₆ haloalkoxy, C₁ -C₆ haloalkylsulfonyl, C₂ -C₆ haloalkyl, C₁ -C₆ hydroxyalkyl, --C(O)O(C₁ -C₆ alkyl), --(CH₂)_(n) O--(C₁ -C₆ alkyl), benzyloxy, phenoxy, phenylthio, (--CONHSO₂ R), --CHO, amino, amidino, bromo, carbamyl, carboxyl, carbalkoxy, --(CH₂)_(n) --CO₂ H, chloro, cyano, cyanoguanidinyl, fluoro, guanidino, hydrazide, hydrazino, hydrazido, hydroxy, hydroxyamino, iodo, nitro, phosphono, --SO₃ H, thioacetal, thiocarbonyl, and C₁ -C₆ carbonyl; where n is from 1 to 8; or

(c) is the group --(L₁)--R₈₁ ; where, --(L₁)-- is a divalent linking group having the formula; ##STR16## where, R₈₄ and R₈₅ are each independently selected from hydrogen, C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl, aryl, C₁ -C₁₀ alkaryl, C₁ -C₁₀ aralkyl, carboxy, carbalkoxy, and halo;

p is 1 to 5,

Z is a bond, --(CH₂)--, --O--, --N(C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl)--, --NH--, or --S--; and

where R₈₁ is a group selected from (a) or (b);

R₁₂ is hydrogen, halo, C₁ -C₃ alkyl, C₃ -C₄ cycloalkyl, C₃ -C₄ cycloalkenyl, --O--(C₁ -C₂ alkyl), or --S--(C₁ -C₂ alkyl);

R₁₄ is selected from hydrogen, a non-interfering substituent, or the group, --(L_(a))--(acidic group), wherein the acid linker --(L_(a))-- has an acid linker length of 2 or 3 atoms and is represented by the formula; ##STR17## where Q is selected from the group --(CH₂)--, --O--, --NH--, and --S--; R₈₄ and R₈₅ are each independently selected from hydrogen, C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl, aryl, C₁ -C₁₀ alkaryl, C₁ -C₁₀ aralkyl, hydroxy, and halo; and the acidic group is selected from ##STR18## where n is 1 to 8, R₈₉ is a metal or C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl, and R₉₉ is hydrogen or C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl; R₁₅ is selected from hydrogen, a non-interfering substituent, or the group, --(L_(a))-- (acidic group), wherein the acid linker --(L_(a))-- has an acid linker length of 3 to 8 atoms and the acid linker group, --(L_(a))-- is; ##STR19## where r is a number from 2 to 7, s is 0 or 1, and Q is selected from the group --(CH₂)--, --O--, --NH--, and --S--; and R₈₄ and R₈₅ are each independently selected from hydrogen, C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl, aryl, C₁ -C₁₀ alkaryl, C₁ -C₁₀ aralkyl, carboxy, carbalkoxy, and halo; and the acidic group is selected from ##STR20## where n is 1 to 8, R₈₉ is a metal or C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl, and R₉₉ is hydrogen or C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl;

provided that at least one of R₁₄ or R₁₅ must be the group, --(L_(a))--(acidic group);

R₁₆, and R₁₇ are each independently selected form hydrogen, non-interfering substituents, selected from the group consisting of C₁ -C₆ alkyl, C₁ -C₆ alkenyl, C₁ -C₆ alkynyl, C₇ -C₁₂ aralkyl, C₇ -C₁₂ alkaryl, C₃ -C₈ cycloalkyl, C₃ -C₈ cycloalkenyl, phenyl, tolulyl, xylenyl, biphenyl, C₁ -C₆ alkoxy, C₁ -C₆ alkenyloxy, C₁ -C₆ alkynyloxy, C₂ -C₁₂ alkoxyalkyl, C₂ -C₁₂ alkoxyalkyloxy, C₂ -C₁₂ alkylcarbonyl, C₂ -C₁₂ alkylcarbonylamino, C₂ -C₁₂ alkoxyamino, C₂ -C₁₂ alkoxyaminocarbonyl, C₂ -C₁₂ alkylamino, C₁ -C₆ alkylthio, C₂ -C₁₂ alkylthiocarbonyl, C₁ -C₆ alkylsulfinyl, C₁ -C₆ alkylsulfonyl, C₂ -C₆ haloalkoxy, C₁ -C₆ haloalkylsulfonyl, C₂ -C₆ haloalkyl, C₁ -C₆ hydroxyalkyl, --C(O)O(C₁ -C₆ alkyl), --(CH₂)_(n) --O--(C₁ -C₆ alkyl), benzyloxy, phenoxy, phenylthio, --(CONHSO₂ R), --CHO, amino, amidino, bromo, carbamyl, carboxyl, carbalkoxy, --(CH₂)_(n) --CO₂ H, chloro, cyano, cyanoguanidinyl, fluoro, guanidino, hydrazide, hydrazino, hydrazido, hydroxy, hydroxyamino, iodo, nitro, phosphono, --SO₃ H, thioacetal, thiocarbonyl, and C₁ -C₆ carbonyl; where n is from 1 to 8.

A preferred class of compounds according to this invention are the compounds represented by the formula (II) where X is oxygen.

Another preferred class of compounds according to this invention are the compounds represented by formula (II) where the acid linker, --(L_(a))--, for R₁₅ is selected from the groups; ##STR21## wherein R₈₄ and R₈₅ are each independently selected from hydrogen, C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl, aryl, C₁ -C₁₀ alkaryl, C₁ -C₁₀ aralkyl, carboxy, carbalkoxy, and halo;

Specific preferred compounds and all pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates and prodrug derivatives thereof which are illustrative of the compounds of the invention include the following:

(A) 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid,

(B) d1-2- 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!propanoic acid,

(C) 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid,

(D) 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-3-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid,

(E) 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-4-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid,

(F) 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1- (2,6-dichlorophenyl)methyl!-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid

(G) 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1- 4(-fluorophenyl)methyl!-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid,

(H) 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-methyl-1- (1-naphthalenyl)methyl!-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid,

(I) 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid,

(J) 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1- (3-chlorophenyl)methyl!-2-ethyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid,

(K) 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-ethyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid,

(L) 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-propyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid,

(M) 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid,

(N) 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid,

(O) 4- 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-5-yl!oxy!butanoic acid, and

(P) mixtures of (A) thru (O) in any combination.

The salts of the above 1H-indole-3-glyoxylamide compounds represented by formulae (I) and (II) and named compounds (A) thru (P) are an additional aspect of the invention. In those instances where the compounds of the invention possess acidic or basic functional groups various salts may be formed which are more water soluble and physiologically suitable than the parent compound. Representative pharmaceutically acceptable salts, include but are not limited to, the alkali and alkaline earth salts such as lithium, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, aluminum and the like. Salts are conveniently prepared from the free acid by treating the acid in solution with a base or by exposing the acid to an ion exchange resin.

Included within the definition of pharmaceutically acceptable salts are the relatively non-toxic, inorganic and organic base addition salts of compounds of the present invention, for example, ammonium, quaternary ammonium, and amine cations, derived from nitrogenous bases of sufficient basicity to form salts with the compounds of this invention (see, for example, S. M. Berge, et al., "Pharmaceutical Salts," J. Phar. Sci., 66: 1-19 (1977)). Moreover, the basic group(s) of the compound of the invention may be reacted with suitable organic or inorganic acids to form salts such as acetate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bicarbonate, bisulfate, bitartrate, borate, bromide, camsylate, carbonate, chloride, clavulanate, citrate, chloride, edetate, edisylate, estolate, esylate, fluoride, fumarate, gluceptate, gluconate, glutamate, glycolylarsanilate, hexylresorcinate, bromide, chloride, hydroxynaphthoate, iodide, isothionate, lactate, lactobionate, laurate, malate, malseate, mandelate, mesylate, methylbromide, methylnitrate, methylsulfate, mucate, napsylate, nitrate, oleate, oxalate, palmitate, pantothenate, phosphate, polygalacturonate, salicylate, stearate, subacetate, succinate, tannate, tartrate, tosylate, trifluoroacetate, trifluoromethane sulfonate, and valerate.

Certain compounds of the invention may possess one or more chiral centers and may thus exist in optically active forms. Likewise, when the compounds contain an alkenyl or alkenylene group there exists the possibility of cis- and trans- isomeric forms of the compounds. The R- and S- isomers and mixtures thereof, including racemic mixtures as well as mixtures of cis- and trans- isomers, are contemplated by this invention. Additional asymmetric carbon atoms can be present in a substituent group such as an alkyl group. All such isomers as well as the mixtures thereof are intended to be included in the invention. If a particular stereoisomer is desired, it can be prepared by methods well known in the art by using stereospecific reactions with starting materials which contain the asymmetric centers and are already resolved or, alternatively by methods which lead to mixtures of the stereoisomers and subsequent resolution by known methods.

Prodrugs are derivatives of the compounds of the invention which have chemically or metabolically cleavable groups and become by solvolysis or under physiological conditions the compounds of the invention which are pharmaceutically active in vivo. Derivatives of the compounds of this invention have activity in both their acid and base derivative forms, but the acid derivative form often offers advantages of solubility, tissue compatibility, or delayed release in a mammalian organism (see, Bundgard, H., Design of Prodrugs, pp. 7-9, 21-24, Elsevier, Amsterdam 1985). Prodrugs include acid derivatives well known to practitioners of the art, such as, for example, esters prepared by reaction of the parent acidic compound with a suitable alcohol, or amides prepared by reaction of the parent acid compound with a suitable amine. Simple aliphatic or aromatic esters derived from acidic groups pendent on the compounds of this invention are preferred prodrugs. In some cases it is desirable to prepare double ester type prodrugs such as (acyloxy) alkyl esters or ((alkoxycarbonyl)oxy)alkyl esters.

Synthesis Methods

The synthesis of the 1H-indole-3-glyoxylamides of structure 1 can be accomplished by known methods. Procedures useful for the syntheses of the compounds of this invention are outlined in the following reaction schemes:

The synthesis of the 1H-indole-3-glyoxylamides of structure 1 can be accomplished by well known methods as recorded in the chemical literature. Those procedures useful for the syntheses of the compounds of the invention are illustrated herein and outlined in the following reaction schemes 1 through 6. ##STR22##

To obtain the glyoxylamides substituted in the 4-position with an acidic function through an oxygen atom, the reactions outlined in scheme 1 are used (for conversions 1 thru 5, see ref. Robin D. Clark, Joseph M. Muchowski, Lawrence E. Fisher, Lee A. Flippin, David B. Repke, Michel Souchet, Synthesis, 1991, 871-878, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference). The orthonitrotoluene, 1, is readily reduced to the 2-methylaniline, 2, using Pd/C as catalyst. The reduction can be carried out in ethanol or tetrahydrofuran (THF) or a combination of both, using a low pressure of hydrogen. The aniline, 2, on heating with di-tert-butyl dicarbonate in THF at reflux temperature is converted to the N-tert-butylcarbonyl derivative, 3, in good yield. The dilithium salt of the dianion of 3 is generated at -40° to --20° C. in THF using sec-butyl lithium and reacted with the appropriately substituted N-methoxy-N-methylalkananide. This product, 4, may be purified by crystallization from hexane, or reacted directly with trifluoroacetic acid in methylene chloride to give the 1,3-unsubstituted indole 5. The 1,3-unsubstituted indole 5 is reacted with sodium hydride in dimethylformamide at room temperature (20°-25° C.) for 0.5-1.0 hour. The resulting sodium salt of 5 is treated with an equivalent of arylmethyl halide and the mixture stirred at a temperature range of 0°-100° C., usually at ambient room temperature, for a period of 4 to 36 hours to give the 1-arylmethylindole, 6. This indole, 6, is O-demethylated by stirring with boron tribromide in methylene chloride for approximately 5 hours (see ref. Tsung-Ying Shem and Charles A Winter, Adv. Drug Res., 1977, 12, 176, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference). The 4-hydroxyindole, 7, is alkylated with an alpha bromoalkanoic acid ester in dimethylformamide (DMF) using sodium hydride as a base, with reactions conditions similar to that described for the conversion of 5 to 6. The α- (indol-4-yl)oxy!alkanoic acid ester, 8, is reacted with oxalyl chloride in methylene chloride to give 9, which is not purified but reacted directly with ammonia to give the glyoxamide 10. This product is hydrolyzed using 1N sodium hydroxide in MeOH. The final glyoxylamide, 11, is isolated either as the free carboxylic acid or as its sodium salt or in both forms. ##STR23##

To synthesize the glyoxylamides substituted on the indole ring in the 5-position with an oxybutanoic acid and in the 2-position with an alkyl group, the reactions outlined in Scheme 2 are used. The 1,3-unsubstituted indoles, 12, are made by the same methods described in Scheme 1 to make 5. When 12 in a mixture of DMF and THF was treated first with NaH/mineral oil and then an arylmethyl halide, there is obtained in good yield, the 1-arylmethylindole, 13. This indole, 13, in methylene chloride is reacted with oxalyl chloride and the mixture added directly to THF saturated with ammonia to give the 5-methoxy glyoxamide 15. The 5-methoxy derivative was O-demethylated to the 5-hydroxy compound, 16 by-stirring with boron tribromide in methylene chloride. This product is reacted with NaH/mineral oil and gama-bromobutyric acid, t-butyl ester as described above to give the intermediate 17 that can easily be converted to the carboxylic product, 18, by stirring with trifluoroacetic acid in methylene chloride. ##STR24##

For the glyoxylamides substituted in the 5-position with oxybutanoic acid and in the 2-position with hydrogen, the commercially available indole, 19 was converted thru the series of reactions outlined in Scheme 3 to the glyoxylamide using reaction conditions similar to that described in Scheme 1. ##STR25##

To obtain glyoxylamides substituted in the 4-position with an acidic function through an oxygen atom and in the 2-position with chloro, methoxy or methythio, the reactions outlined in Scheme 4 can be used. The 2-oxindole 25 can be converted to the 4-oxyester 27 by methods described in Scheme 1. This intermediate on treatment with oxalyl chloride followed by ammonia gives the glyoxamide 29. Alkylation with benzyl bromide and sodium hydride followed by hydrolysis, would give the 2-chloro acid derivative, 31. Utilizing the intermediate 30, the 2-chloro substituent could be replaced by methylmercaptan or methanol to give the 2-methylthio and 2-methoxy derivatives, 34 and 35. ##STR26##

To obtain the glyoxylamides where the carboxyl group in the four position is connected through a nitrogen atom, the reaction sequence in Scheme 5 can be used. The nitro indole (36) (obtained by the procedure outlined in Tetrahedron 46(17) 6085-6112 (1990) by Jan Bergman and Peter Sand, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference) can be alkylated with an arylmethyl bromide using NaH as base to give (37). Treatment of (37) with oxalyl chloride and then ammonia gives the glyoxylamide (38). Reduction of the nitro group of (38) with hydrogen using Pt/BaSO₄ as catalyst and subsequent alkylation with a 2-bromoacetate using NaHCO₃ as base gives (40). Basic hydrolysis using dilute NaOH gives the product (41). ##STR27##

To obtain the glyoxylamides where the carboxyl group in the four position is connected through an all carbon chain, the reactions outlined in Scheme 6 can be used. The benzoic acid 53 is reacted with thionyl chloride to give the corresponding benzoyl chloride which is reacted with 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol and then thionyl chloride to give the protected acid 54. The nitro group of the oxazoline is reduced with hydrogen using Pd/C as catalyst and the aniline 55 heated with di-tert-butyl dicarbonate to give the N-tert-butoxycarbonyl derivative 56. This is converted to the indole 57 as reported in Scheme 1 and the indole alkylated with benzyl bromide using NaH and base to give 58. The oxazoline group is converted to an aldehyde by treating with methyl iodide, reducing with sodium borohydride and hydrolyzing with acid. Treating this aldehyde with (carbethoxymethylene)triphenylphosphorane gives the acrylic acid derivative 60. This is reacted with oxalyl chloride and ammonia as previously described and then reduced catalytically using Pd/C to give the glyoxylamide 62. This ester is hydrolyzed to the carboxylic acid derivative 63. Using similar chemistry, the carboxylic acid derivative that is extended by one carbon atom 64 can also be prepared.

Therapeutic Use of 1H-indole-3-glyoxylamides

1H-indole-3-glyoxylamides described herein are believed to achieve their beneficial therapeutic action principally by direct inhibition of human sPLA₂, and not by acting as antagonists for arachidonic acid, nor other active agents below arachidonic acid in the arachidonic acid cascade, such as 5-lipoxygenases, cyclooxygenases, and etc.

The method of the invention for inhibiting sPLA₂ mediated release of fatty acids comprises contacting sPLA₂ with an therapeutically effective amount of 1H-indole-3-glyoxylamide substituted at the 4 or 5 positions with an acidic derivative, its salt or a prodrug derivative thereof.

A preferred method of the invention comprises contacting sPLA₂ with an therapeutically effective amount of 1H-indole-3-glyoxylamide represented by formulae (I) or (II).

A most preferred method of the invention comprises contacting sPLA₂ with an therapeutically effective amount of 1H-indole-3-glyoxylamide represented by formulae (I) or (II) where said glyoxylamide is substituted at the 4 position with an acidic group (or salts or prodrug derivatives thereof).

Another aspect of this invention is a method for treating septic shock, adult respiratory distress syndrome, pancreatitis, trauma, bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and related diseases which comprises administering to a human a therapeutically effective dose of 1H-indole-3-glyoxylamides of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or prodrug derivative thereof.

Pharmaceutical Formulations of the Invention

As previously noted the compounds of this invention are useful for inhibiting sPLA₂ mediated release of fatty acids such as arachidonic acid. By the term, "inhibiting" is meant the prevention or therapeutically significant reduction in release of sPLA₂ initiated fatty acids by the compounds of the invention. By "pharmaceutically acceptable" it is meant the carrier, diluent or excipient must be compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not deleterious to the recipient thereof.

The specific dose of a compound administered according to this invention to obtain therapeutic or prophylactic effects will, of course, be determined by the particular circumstances surrounding the case, including, for example, the compound administered, the route of administration and the condition being treated. Typical daily doses will contain a non-toxic dosage level of from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 50 mg/kg of body weight of an active compound of this invention.

Preferably the pharmaceutical formulation is in unit dosage form. The unit dosage form can be a capsule or tablet itself, or the appropriate number of any of these. The quantity of active ingredient in a unit dose of composition may be varied or adjusted from about 0.1 to about 1000 milligrams or more according to the particular treatment involved. It may be appreciated that it may be necessary to make routine variations to the dosage depending on the age and condition of the patient. The dosage will also depend on the route of administration.

The compound can be administered by a variety of routes including oral, aerosol, rectal, transdermal, subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, and intranasal.

Pharmaceutical formulations of the invention are prepared by combining (e.g., mixing) a therapeutically effective amount of the 1H-indole-3-glyoxylamides of the invention together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent therefor. The present pharmaceutical formulations are prepared by known procedures using well known and readily available ingredients.

In making the compositions of the present invention, the active ingredient will usually be admixed with a carrier, or diluted by a carrier, or enclosed within a carrier which may be in the form of a capsule, sachet, paper or other container. When the carrier serves as a diluent, it may be a solid, semi-solid or liquid material which acts as a vehicle, or can be in the form of tablets, pills, powders, lozenges, elixirs, suspensions, emulsions, solutions, syrups, aerosols (as a solid or in a liquid medium), or ointment, containing, for example, up to 10% by weight of the active compound. The compounds of the present invention are preferably formulated prior to administration.

For the pharmaceutical formulations any suitable carrier known in the art can be used. In such a formulation, the carrier may be a solid, liquid, or mixture of a solid and a liquid. Solid form formulations include powders, tablets and capsules. A solid carrier can be one or more substances which may also act as flavoring agents, lubricants, solubilisers, suspending agents, binders, tablet disintegrating agents and encapsulating material.

Tablets for oral administration may contain suitable excipients such as calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, lactose, calcium phosphate, together with disintegrating agents, such as maize, starch, or alginic acid, and/or binding agents, for example, gelatin or acacia, and lubricating agents such as magnesium stearate, stearic acid, or talc.

In powders the carrier is a finely divided solid which is in admixture with the finely divided active ingredient. In tablets the active ingredient is mixed with a carrier having the necessary binding properties in suitable proportions and compacted in the shape and size desired. The powders and tablets preferably contain from about 1 to about 99 weight percent of the active ingredient which is the novel compound of this invention. Suitable solid carriers are magnesium carbonate, magnesium stearate, talc, sugar lactose, pectin, dextrin, starch, gelatin, tragacanth, methyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, low melting waxes, and cocoa butter.

Sterile liquid form formulations include suspensions, emulsions, syrups and elixirs.

The active ingredient can be dissolved or suspended in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, such as sterile water, sterile organic solvent or a mixture of both. The active ingredient can often be dissolved in a suitable organic solvent, for instance aqueous propylene glycol. Other compositions can be made by dispersing the finely divided active ingredient in aqueous starch or sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution or in a suitable oil.

The following pharmaceutical formulations 1 thru 8 are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. "Active ingredient", refers to a compound according to Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or prodrug thereof.

Formulation 1

Hard gelatin capsules are prepared using the following ingredients:

    ______________________________________                                                        Quantity                                                                       (mg/capsule)                                                    ______________________________________                                         Active ingredient                                                                               250                                                           Starch, dried    200                                                           Magnesium stearate                                                                              10                                                            Total            460         mg                                                ______________________________________                                    

Formulation 2

A tablet is prepared using the ingredients below:

    ______________________________________                                                          Quantity                                                                       (mg/tablet)                                                   ______________________________________                                         Active ingredient  250                                                         Cellulose, microcrystalline                                                                       400                                                         Silicon dioxide, fumed                                                                            10                                                          Stearic acid       5                                                           Total              665        mg                                               ______________________________________                                    

The components are blended and compressed to form tablets each weighing 665 mg

Formulation 3

An aerosol solution is prepared containing the following components:

    ______________________________________                                                             Weight                                                     ______________________________________                                         Active ingredient      0.25                                                    Ethanol               25.75                                                    Propellant 22 (Chlorodifluoromethane)                                                                74.00                                                    Total                 100.00                                                   ______________________________________                                    

The active compound is mixed with ethanol and the mixture added to a portion of the propellant 22, cooled to -30° C. and transferred to a filling device. The required amount is then fed to a stainless steel container and diluted with the remainder of the propellant. The valve units are then fitted to the container.

Formulation 4

Tablets, each containing 60 mg of active ingredient, are made as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Active ingredient        60      mg                                            Starch                   45      mg                                            Microcrystalline cellulose                                                                              35      mg                                            Polyvinylpyrrolidone (as 10% solution in water)                                                         4       mg                                            Sodium carboxymethyl starch                                                                             4.5     mg                                            Magnesium stearate       0.5     mg                                            Talc                     1       mg                                            Total                    150     mg                                            ______________________________________                                    

The active ingredient, starch and cellulose are passed through a No. 45 mesh U.S. sieve and mixed thoroughly. The aqueous solution containing polyvinylpyrrolidone is mixed with the resultant powder, and the mixture then is passed through a No. 14 mesh U.S. sieve. The granules so produced are dried at 50° C. and passed through a No. 18 mesh U.S. sieve. The sodium carboxymethyl starch, magnesium stearate and talc, previously passed through a No. 60 mesh U.S. sieve, are then added to the granules which, after mixing, are compressed on a tablet machine to yield tablets each weighing 150 mg.

Formulation 5

Capsules, each containing 80 mg of active ingredient, are made as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Active ingredient  80         mg                                               Starch             59         mg                                               Microcrystalline cellulose                                                                        59         mg                                               Magnesium stearate 2          mg                                               Total              200        mg                                               ______________________________________                                    

The active ingredient, cellulose, starch, and magnesium stearate are blended, passed through a No. 45 mesh U.S. sieve, and filled into hard gelatin capsules in 200 mg quantities.

Formulation 6

Suppositories, each containing 225 mg of active ingredient, are made as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Active ingredient  225         mg                                              Saturated fatty acid glycerides                                                                   2,000       mg                                              Total              2,225       mg                                              ______________________________________                                    

The active ingredient is passed through a No. 60 mesh U.S. sieve and suspended in the saturated fatty acid glycerides previously melted using the minimum heat necessary. The mixture is then poured into a suppository mold of nominal 2 g capacity and allowed to cool.

Formulation 7

Suspensions, each containing 50 mg of active ingredient per 5 ml dose, are made as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Active ingredient   50            mg                                           Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose                                                                     50            mg                                           Syrup               1.25          ml                                           Benzoic acid solution                                                                              0.10          ml                                           Flavor              q.v.                                                       Color               q.v.                                                       Purified water to total                                                                            5             ml                                           ______________________________________                                    

The active ingredient is passed through a No. 45 mesh U.S. sieve and mixed with the sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and syrup to form a smooth paste. The benzoic acid solution, flavor and color are diluted with a portion of the water and added, with stirring. Sufficient water is then added to produce the required volume.

Formulation 8

An intravenous formulation may be prepared as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Active ingredient                                                                              100          mg                                                Isotonic saline 1,000        ml                                                ______________________________________                                    

The solution of the above ingredients generally is administered intravenously to a subject at a rate of 1 ml per minute.

All of the products of the Examples described below as well as intermediates used in the following procedures showed satisfactory nmr and ir spectra. They also had the correct mass spectral values.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, a compound represented by the formula ##STR28## Part A. Preparation of N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3-methoxy-2-methylaniline

A solution of 44.4 g (344 mmol) of 3-methoxy-2-methylaniline and 75 g (344 mmol) of di-tert-butyl dicarbonate in 400 mL of THF was heated to maintain reflux for 4 hours. After concentrating at reduced pressure, the residue was taken up in ethyl acetate, washed with 1N citric acid, water and dried (MgSO₄). After removing the solvent at reduced pressure, the residue was crystallized from hexane to give 64.5 g (84% yield) of N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3-methoxy-2-methylaniline, mp, 56°-57° C.

Analysis for C₁₃ H₁₉ NO₃ : Calculated: C, 65.80; H, 8.07; N, 5.90 Found: C, 63.32; H, 7.83; N, 5.56.

Part B. Preparation of 4-Methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole

A solution of 280 mL (0.36 mol) of 1.3M sec-butyl lithium in cyclohexane was added slowly to N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3-methoxy-2-methylaniline (43 g, 0.18 mol) in 300 mL of THF keeping the temperature below -40° C. with a dry ice-ethanol bath. The bath was removed and the temperature allowed to rise to -20° C. and then the bath replaced. After the temperature had cooled to -60° C., 18.5 g (0.18 mol) of N-methoxy-N-methylglyoxylamide in an equal volume of THF was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred 1 hour, the cooling bath removed and stirred an additional 1 hour. It was then poured into a mixture of 600 mL of ether and 600 mL of 1N HCl. The organic layer was separated, washed with water, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated at reduced pressure to give 39.5 g of a mixture of 1- 2-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-6-methoxyphenyl!-2-propanone and starting anilide. This mixture was dissolved in 100 mL of methylene chloride and 40 mL of trifluoroacetic acid and stirred for a total of 26 hours. The mixture was washed with water, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated at reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane to give on crystallization from CH₂ Cl₂ /hexane 13.9 g of 4-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole, mp, 80°-86° C.

Analysis for C₁₀ H₁₁ NO: Calculated: C, 74.51; H, 6.88; N, 8.69 Found: C, 74.41; H, 7.08; N, 8.47.

Part C. Preparation of 4-Methoxy-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole

4-Methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole (1 g, 6.2 mmol) was added to 248 mg (6.2 mmol) of 60% sodium hydride/mineral oil (washed with hexane before adding DMF) in 15 mL of DMF and after stirring for 0.5 hour, 0.74 mL (6.2 mmol) of benzyl bromide was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours, diluted with water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate solution was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄) and after concentrating at reduced pressure, the residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane to give 1.3 g (84% yield) of 4-methoxy-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole, melting at 96°-116° C.

Analyses for C₁₇ H₁₇ NO: Calculated: C, 81.24; H, 6.82; N, 5.57 Found: C, 81.33; H, 6.74; N, 5.29.

Part D. Preparation of 4-Hydroxy-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole

A solution of 1.25 g (5 mmol) of 4-methoxy-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole and 20 mL of 1M BBr₃ /CH₂ Cl₂ in 50 mL of methylene chloride was stirred at room temperature for 5 hours and concentrated at reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate, washed with brine and dried (MgSO₄). After concentrating at reduced pressure, the residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane to give 577 mg (49% yield) of 4-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole, 125°-127° C.

Analyses for C₁₆ H₁₅ NO: Calculated: C, 80.98; H, 6.37; N, 5.90 Found: C, 80.76; H, 6.26; N, 5.80.

Part E. Preparation of 2-Methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester

4-Hydroxy-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole (530 mg, 2.2 mmol) was added to 88 mg (2.2 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil in 20 mL of DMF and the mixture stirred for 0.67 hours. Then, 0.21 mL (2.2 mmol) of methyl bromoacetate was added and stirring maintained for 17 hours. The mixture was diluted with water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate solution was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), and concentrated at reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane to give 597 mg (88% yield) of 2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester, 140°-143° C.

Analyses for C₁₉ H₁₉ NO₃ : Calculated: C, 73.77; H, 6.19; N, 4.53 Found: C, 74.01; H, 6.23; N, 4.32.

Part F. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester

Oxalyl chloride (0.16 mL, 1.9 mmol) was added to 582 mg (1.9 mmol) of 2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester in 10 mL of methylene chloride and the mixture stirred for 1.5 hours. The mixture was concentrated at reduced pressure and residue taken up in 10 mL of methylene chloride. Anhydrous ammonia was bubbled in for 0.25 hours, the mixture stirred for 1.5 hours and evaporated at reduced pressure. The residue was stirred with 20 mL of ethyl acetate and the mixture filtered. The filtrate was concentrated to give 672 mg of a mixture of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, methyl ester and ammonium chloride, mp 202°-215° C.

Part G. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid

A mixture of 660 mg (1.7 mmol) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester and 10 mL of 1N NaOH in 30 mL of methanol was heated to maintain reflux for 1 hour, cooled to room temperature and stirred for 0.5 hour. The mixture was concentrated at reduced pressure and the residue taken up in EtOAc/water. The aqueous layer was separated, made acidic to pH 2-3 with 1N HCl and extracted with EtOAc. On concentrating the EtOAc solution, 431 mg (69% yield) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid crystallized, melting at 218°-220° C.

Analyses for C₂₀ H₁₈ N₂ O₅ : Calculated: C, 65.57; H, 4.95; N, 7.65 Found: C, 63.31; H, 4.79; N, 6.91.

Example 2 Preparation of dl-2- 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!propanoic acid, a compound represented by the formula ##STR29## Part A. Preparation of dl-2- 2-Methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!propanoic acid methyl ester

4-Hydroxy-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole (483 mg, 2.0 mmol) was reacted with 82 mg (2.0 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil in 20 mL of DMF and then with 0.22 mL (2.0 mmol) of dl-methyl 2-bromopropionate as described in Example 1, Part E to give after chromatography on silica gel eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane 480 mg (74% yield) of dl-2- 2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!propanoic acid methyl ester.

Part B. Preparation of dl-2- 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!propanoic acid, methyl ester

Oxalyl chloride (0.16 mL, 1.9 mmol) was reacted with 480 mg (1.5 mmol) of dl-2- 2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!propanoic acid methyl ester and then reacted with anhydrous ammonia as in Example 1, Part F and the reaction product was dissolved in EtOAc, washed with water, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel (eluted with EtOAc) to give 531 mg (90% yield) of dl-2- 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!propanoic acid, methyl ester, melting at approximately 175° C.

Analyses for C₂₂ H₂₂ N₂ O₅ : Calculated: C, 66.99; H, 5.62; N, 7.10 Found: C, 67.28; H, 5.59; N, 7.03.

Part C. Preparation of dl-2- 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!propanoic acid

A mixture of 521 mg (1.3 mmol) of dl-2- 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!propanoic acid methyl ester and 10 mL of 1N NaOH in 30 mL of methanol was heated to maintain reflux for 0.17 hours, cooled to room temperature and stirred for 0.5 hour. The mixture was concentrated at reduced pressure and the residue taken up in EtOAc/water. The aqueous layer was separated, made acidic to pH 2-3 with 1N HCl and extracted with EtOAc. The EtOAc solution was concentrated at reduced pressure and the residue stirred with a EtOAc-ether mixture. The insoluble material was filtered to give 246 mg (50% yield) of dl-2- 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!propanoic acid, mp, 201°-204° C.

Analyses for C₂₁ H₂₀ N₂ O₅ : Calculated: C, 66.31; H, 5.30; N, 7.36 Found: C, 65.63; H, 5.61; N, 7.03.

Example 3 Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, a compound represented by the formula ##STR30## Part A. Preparation of 1-( 1,1'-Biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-4-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole

Using the procedure described in Example 1, Part C, 1 g (6.2 mmol) of 4-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole was reacted with 248 mg (6.2 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil and then 1.1 mL (6.2 mmol) of 2-(bromomethyl)biphenyl to give after chromatography on silica (eluting with 17% EtOAc/hexane) 1.63 g (80% yield) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-4-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole as an oil.

Analyses for C₂₃ H₂₁ NO: Calculated: C, 84.37; H, 6.46; N, 4.28 Found: C, 84.11; H, 5.66; N, 3.83.

Part B. Preparation of 1-( 1,1'-Biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-methyl-1H-indole

By the method used in Example 1, Part D, 1.6 g (4.9 mmol) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-4-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole was O-demethylated by treating it with 20 mL of 1M BBr₃ /CH₂ Cl₂. The crude product was chromatographed on silica gel and eluted with 20% EtOAc/hexane to give 841 mg (55% yield) of 1-( 1,1'-biPhenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-methyl-1H-indole.

Analyses for C₂₂ H₁₉ NO: Calculated: C, 84.32; H, 6.11; N, 4.47 Found: C, 84.59; H, 6.33; N, 4.75.

Part C. Preparation of 1-( 1,1'-Biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester

1-( 1,1'-Biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-methyl-1H-indole (767 mg, 2.45 mmol) was alkylated by treating with 0.23 mL (2.45 mmol) of methyl bromoacetate and 98 mg (2.45 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil in DMF as described in Example 1, Part E. The product was purified by chromatography over silica gel eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane, to give 730 mg (77% yield) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester, 99°-101° C.

Analyses for C₂₅ H₂₃ NO₃ : Calculated: C, 77.90; H, 6.01; N, 3.63 Found: C, 78.11; H, 6.17; N, 3.74.

Part D. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester

Using the procedure in Example 1, Part F, 715 mg (1.9 mmol) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester was reacted first with 0.16 mL (1.9 mmol) of oxalyl chloride and then excess ammonia to give a white solid. This was stirred with ethyl acetate and the insoluble material separated and dried to give 660 mg of a mixture of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester and ammonium chloride. This mixture melted at 144°-148° C.

Part E. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid

A mixture of 648 mg (1.4 mmol) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester in 10 mL of 1N NaOH and 20 mL of MeOH was heated to maintain reflux for 1 hour, cooled to room temperature and stirred 0.5 hour. The mixture was concentrated, the residue stirred with a mixture of EtOAc/water and the solid material that did not dissolve was filtered and dried to give 227 mg (35% yield) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, sodium salt, mp, >265° C.

Analyses for C₂₆ H₂₁ N₂ O₅ Na: Calculated: C, 67.24; H, 4.56; N, 6.03 Found: C, 69.38; H, 4.88; N, 5.42.

Part F. The aqueous layer was separated from the filtrate from above and made acidic to pH 2-3 with 1N HCl. The precipitate was extracted with EtOAc and upon concentrating the EtOAc, 128 mg (20% yield) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid precipitated, mp, 228°-231° C.

Analyses for C₂₆ H₂₂ N₂ O₅ : Calculated: C, 70.58; H, 5.01; N, 6.33 Found: C, 73.12; H, 5.37; N, 5.81.

Example 4 Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-3-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, a compound represented by the formula ##STR31## Part A. Preparation of 1-( 1,1'-Biphenyl!-3-ylmethyl)-4-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole

Using the method in Example 1, Part C, 805 mg (5 mmol) of 4-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole was reacted with 200 mg (5 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral and then 1.0 g (5 mmol) of 3-(chloromethyl)biphenyl in DMF to give after chromatography on silica gel (eluted with 20% EtOAc/hexane) 1.25 g (76% yield) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-3-ylmethyl)-4-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole, mp, 127°-131° C.

Analyses for C₂₃ H₂₁ NO: Calculated: C, 84.37; H, 6.46; N, 4.27 Found: C, 83.30; H, 6.55; N, 4.07.

Part B. Preparation of 1-( 1,1'-Biphenyl!-3-ylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-methyl-1H-indole

By the method used in Example 1, Part D, 1.25 g (3.8 mmol) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-3-ylmethyl)-4-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole was O-demethylated by treating it with 15.2 mL of 1M BBr₃ /CH₂ Cl₂ to give 1.03 g (87% yield) of crude 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-3-ylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-methyl-1H-indole.

Part C. Preparation of 1-( 1,1'-Biphenyl!-3-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester

1-( 1,1'-Biphenyl!-3-ylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-methyl-1H-indole (1.03 g, 3.3 mmol) was alkylated by treating with 0.31 mL (3.3 mmol) of methyl bromoacetate and 132 mg (3.3 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil in DMF as described in Example 1, Part E. The product was purified by chromatography over silica gel eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane, to give 1.0 g (79% yield) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-3-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester, 99°-102° C.

Analyses for C₂₅ H₂₃ NO₃ : Calculated: C, 77.90; H, 6.01; N, 3.63 Found: C, 77.61; H, 6.09; N, 3.62.

Part D. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-3-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester

Oxalyl chloride (0.23 mL, 2.6 mmol) was added to 1.0 g (2.6 mmol) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-3-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester in 15 mL of methylene chloride and the mixture stirred for 1.3 hours. The mixture was concentrated at reduced pressure, the residue redissolved in 15 mL of methylene chloride and ammonia gas bubbled in for 0.25 hours, stirred for 0.25 hours and concentrated. The residue was stirred with EtOAc/water and the undissolved material filtered to give 300 mg of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-3-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester. The EtOAc layer from the filtrate was separated, washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with EtOAc to give an additional 671 mg of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-3-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester, mp, 175°-179° C. The total combined yield of product was 82%.

Analyses for C₂₇ H₂₄ N₂ O₅ : Calculated: C, 71.04; H, 5.30; N, 6.14 Found: C, 71.30; H, 5.41; N, 6.35.

Part E. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-3-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid

Using the procedure described in Example 2, Part E, 956 mg (2.1 mmol) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-3-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester was hydrolyzed in 10 mL of 1N NaOH and 20 mL of MeOH to give 403 mg (41% yield) of 3-(1,2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-3-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, sodium salt, mp, >265° C.

Analyses for C₂₆ H₂₁ N₂ O₅ Na: Calculated: C, 67.24; H, 4.56; N, 6.03 Found: C, 67.20; H, 4.58; N, 6.03.

There was also obtained 346 mg (37% yield) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-3-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, mp, 236°-238° C.

Analyses for C₂₆ H₂₂ N₂ O₅ : Calculated: C, 70.58; H, 5.01; N, 6.33 Found: C, 70.58; H, 5.25; N, 6.11.

Example 5 Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-4-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, a compound represented by the formula ##STR32## Part A. Preparation of 1-( 1,1'-Biphenyl!-4-ylmethyl)-4-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole

Using the method in Example 1, Part C, 805 mg (5 mmol) of 4-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole was reacted with 200 mg (5 mmol ) of 60% Na60% NaH/mineral oil and then 1.0 g (5 mmol) of (chloromethyl)biphenyl in DMF to give after chromatography on silica gel (eluted with 20% EtOAc/hexane) 1.3 g (80% yield) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-4-ylmethyl)-4-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole, mp, 118°-123° C.

Analyses for C₂₃ H₂₁ NO: Calculated: C, 84.37; H, 6.46; N, 4.27 Found: C, 84.66; H, 6.62; N, 4.00.

Part B. Preparation of 1-( 1,1'-Biphenyl!-4-ylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-methyl-1H-indole

By the method used in Example 1, Part D, 1.3 g (4.0 mmol) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-4-ylmethyl)-4-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole was O-demethylated by treating it with 16 mL of 1M BBr₃ /CH₂ Cl₂ to give 970 mg (77% yield) of crude 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-4-ylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-methyl-1H-indole.

Part C. 1-( 1,1'-Biphenyl!-4-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester

Using the procedure described in Example 1, Part E, 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-3-ylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-methyl-1H-indole (970 mg, 3.1 mmol) was treated with 124 mg (3.1 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil and then 0.29 mL (3.1 mmol) of methyl bromoacetate. The product was purified by chromatography over silica gel eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane, to give 747 mg (63% yield) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-4-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester, 164°-167° C.

Analyses for C₂₅ H₂₃ NO₃ : Calculated: C, 77.90; H, 6.01; N, 3.63 Found: C, 78.83; H, 6.10; N, 3.56.

Part D. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-4-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester

Oxalyl chloride (0.17 mL, 1.9 mmol) was added to 747 mg (2.6 mmol) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-4-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester in 15 mL of methylene chloride and the mixture stirred for 1.3 hours. The mixture was concentrated at reduced pressure, the residue redissolved in 15 mL of methylene chloride and ammonia gas bubbled in for 0.25 hours, stirred for 0.25 hours and concentrated. The residue was stirred with EtOAc/water and the undissolved material filtered to give 818 mg (94% yield) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-4-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester, 215°-217° C.

Analyses for C₂₇ H₂₄ N₂ O₅ : Calculated: C, 71.04; H, 5.30; N, 6.14 Found: C, 71.32; H, 5.43; N, 6.33.

Part E. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-4-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid

Using the procedure described in Example 2, Part E, 803 mg (1.8 mmol) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-4-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester was hydrolyzed in 10 mL of 1N NaOH and 20 mL of MeOH to give 614 mg (74% yield) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-4-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, sodium salt, mp, >265° C.

Analyses for C₂₆ H₂₁ N₂ O₅ Na: Calculated: C, 67.24; H, 4.56; N, 6.03 Found: C, 67.48; H, 4.62; N, 6.14.

There was also obtained 35 mg (4% yield) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-4-ylmethyl)-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, mp, 228°-232° C.

Analyses for C₂₆ H₂₂ N₂ O₅ : Calculated: C, 70.58; H, 5.01; N, 6.33 Found: C, 70.54; H, 5.08; N, 6.14.

Example 6 Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1- (2,6-dichlorophenyl)methyl!-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, a compound represented by the formula ##STR33## Part A. Preparation of 1- (2,6-Dichlorophenyl)methyl!-4-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole 4-Methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole (805 mg, 5 mmol) was added to a mixture of 160 mg (4 mmol) of 60%-sodium hydride/mineral oil (washed with hexane before adding DMF) in 10 mL of DMF and after stirring for 0.67 hours, 782 mg (4 mmol) of α,2,6-trichlorotoluene was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 5 hours, diluted with water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate solution was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄) and after concentrating at reduced pressure, the residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane to give 1.08 g (84% yield) of 1- (2,6-dichlorophenyl)methyl!-4-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole, melting at 154°-157° C.

Analyses for C₁₇ H₁₅ Cl₂ NO: Calculated: C, 63.77; H, 4.72; N, 4.37 Found: C, 67.16; H, 5.14; N, 4.19.

Part B. Preparation of 1- (2,6-Dichlorophenyl)methyl!-4-hydroxy-2-methyl-1H-indole

By the method used in Example 1, Part D, 1.08 g (3.38 mmol) of 1- (2,6 dichlorophenyl)methyl!-4-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole was O-demethylated by treating it with 13.5 mL of 1M BBr₃ /CH₂ Cl₂ to give 862 mg (83% yield) of 1- (2,6-dichlorophenyl)methyl!-4-hydroxy-2-methyl-1H-indole, after chromatography on silica gel (eluted with 20% EtOAc/hexane).

Analyses for C₁₆ H₁₃ Cl₂ NO: Calculated: C, 62.76; H, 4.28; N, 4.57 Found: C, 63.03; H, 4.45; N, 4.56.

Part C. Preparation of 1- (2,6-Dichlorophenyl)methyl!-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester

Using the procedure described in Example 1, Part E, 1- (2,6-dichlorophenyl)methyl!-4-hydroxy-2-methyl-1H-indole (862 mg, 2.8 mmol) was treated with 112 mg (2.8 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil and then 0.27 mL (2.8 mmol) of methyl bromoacetate. The product was purified by chromatography over silica gel eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane, to give 411 mg (39% yield) of 1- (2,6-dichlorophenyl)methyl!-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester,-mp, 168°-169° C.

Analyses for C₁₉ H₁₇ Cl₂ NO₃ : Calculated: C, 60.33; H, 4.53; N, 3.70 Found: C, 60.55; H, 4.70; N, 3.75.

Part D. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1- (2,6-dichlorophenyl)methyl!-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester

Oxalyl chloride (0.09 mL, 1.07 mmol) was added to 405 mg (1.07 mmol) of 1- (2,6-dichlorophenyl)methyl!-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester in 10 mL of methylene chloride and the mixture stirred for 3.0 hours. The mixture was concentrated at reduced pressure, the residue redissolved in 15 mL of methylene chloride and ammonia gas bubbled in for 0.25 hours, stirred for 0.25 hours and concentrated. The residue was stirred with EtOAc/water. The EtOAc layer was separated, washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with EtOAc to give 426 mg (88% yield) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1- (2,6-dichlorophenyl)methyl!-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester, mp, 200°-202° C.

Analyses for C₂₁ H₁₈ Cl₂ N₂ O₅ : Calculated: C, 56.14; H, 4.04; N, 6.24 Found: C, 56.39; H, 4.15; N, 6.45.

Part E. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1- (2,6-dichlorophenyl)methyl!-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid

A mixture of 420 mg (0.94 mmol) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1- (2,6-dichlorophenyl)methyl!-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester, 5 mL of 1N NaOH and 15 mL of MeOH was heated to maintain reflux for 0.17 hours, cooled to room temperature and stirred 0.5 hours. Ethyl acetate and water was added, the aqueous layer separated, made acidic to pH 2-3 with 1N HCl, and the mixture extracted with ethyl acetate two times. The part that was not soluble was filtered. The filtrate was dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated. The remaining solid was washed with a small volume of ether/methylene chloride and the insoluble material filtered and combined with the filtered material above to give 351 mg (86% yield) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1- (2,6-dichlorophenyl)methyl!-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, mp, 236°-239° C.

Analyses for C₂₀ H₁₆ Cl₂ N₂ O₅ : Calculated: C, 55.19; H, 3.70; N, 6.44 Found: C, 55.34; H, 3.72; N, 6.35.

Example 7 Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1- 4(-fluorophenyl)methyl!-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, a compound represented by the formula ##STR34## Part A. Preparation of 1- (4-Fluorophenyl)methyl!-4-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole

4-Methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole (805 mg, 5 mmol) was added to a mixture of 200 mg (5 mmol) of 60% sodium hydride/mineral oil (washed with hexane before adding DMF) in 10 mL of DMF and after stirring for 0.5 hours, 0.6 mL (5 mmol) of 4-fluorobenzyl chloride was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours, diluted with water-and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate solution was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄) and after concentrating at reduced pressure, the residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane to give 1.1 g (84% yield) of 1- (4-fluorophenyl)methyl!-4-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole, melting at 104°-108° C.

Analyses for C₁₇ H₁₆ FNO: Calculated: C, 75.82; H, 5.99; N, 5.20 Found: C, 73.82; H, 5.95; N, 5.01.

Part B. Preparation of 1- (4-Fluorophenyl)methyl!-4-hydroxy-2-methyl-1H-indole

By the method used in Example 1, Part D, 1.1 g (4.1 mmol) of 1- (4-fluorophenyl)methyl!-4-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole was O-demethylated by treating it with 16.4 mL of 1M BBr₃ /CH₂ Cl₂ to give 881 mg (84% yield) of crude 1- (4-fluorophenyl)methyl!-4-hydroxy-2-methyl-1H-indole.

Part C. Preparation of 1- (4-Fluorophenyl)methyl!-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester

Using the procedure described in Example 1, Part E, 1- (4-fluorophenyl)methyl!-4-hydroxy-2-methyl-1H-indole (881 mg, 3.45 mmol) was treated with 138 mg (3.45 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil and then 0.33 mL (3.45 mmol) of methyl bromoacetate. The product was purified by chromatography over silica gel eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane, to give 914 mg (81% yield) of 1- (4-fluorophenyl)methyl!-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester, mp, 92°-98° C.

Analyses for C₁₉ H₁₈ FNO₃ : Calculated: C, 69.71; H, 5.54; N, 4.28 Found: C, 70.83; H, 6.00; N, 4.08.

Part D. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1- (4-fluorophenyl)methyl!-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester

Oxalyl chloride (0.24 mL, 2.6 mmol) was added to 914 mg (2.8 mmol) of 1- (4-fluorophenyl)methyl!-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester in 15 mL of methylene chloride and the mixture stirred for 1.3 hour. The mixture was concentrated at reduced pressure, the residue redissolved in 15 mL of methylene chloride and ammonia gas bubbled in for 0.25 hours, stirred for 0.25 hours and concentrated. The residue was stirred with EtOAc/water and the undissolved material filtered to give 25 mg (4% yield) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1- (4-fluorophenyl)methyl!-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester. The EtOAc layer from the filtrate was separated, washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with EtOAc to give an additional 757 mg of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1- (4-fluorophenyl)methyl!-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester, mp, 178°-180° C. The total combined yield of product was 70%.

Analyses for C₂₁ H₁₉ FN₂ O₅ : Calculated: C, 63.31; H, 4.81; N, 7.03 Found: C, 62.31; H, 4.78; N, 6.85.

Part E. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1- (4-fluorophenyl)methyl!-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid

A mixture of 767 mg (1.9 mmol) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1- (4-fluorophenyl)methyl!-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester, 10 mL of 1N NaOH and 30 mL of MeOH was heated to maintain reflux for 0.67 hours, cooled to room temperature and stirred 1 hour. Ethyl acetate and water were added and the aqueous layer separated, made acidic to pH 2-3 with 1N HCl and the mixture extracted with ethyl acetate two times. The combined ethyl acetate extracts were dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated. The remaining solid was washed with a small volume of ethyl acetate to give 593 mg (81% yield) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1- (4-fluorophenyl)methyl!-2-methyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, mp, 244°-247° C.

Analyses for C₂₀ H₁₇ FN₂ O₅ : Calculated: C, 62.50; H, 4.46; N, 7.29 Found: C, 62.40; H, 4.57; N, 7.00.

Example 8

Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-methyl-1- (1-naphthalenyl)methyl!-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, a compound represented by the formula ##STR35## Part A. Preparation of 4-Methoxy-2-methyl-1- (1-naphthalenyl)methyl!-1H-indole

4-Methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole (644 mg, 4 mmol) was dissolved in 10 mL of DMF and 160 mg (4 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil was added. After 0.67 hours, 707 mg (4 mmol) of 1-(chloromethyl)naphthalene was added. After 5 hours, the mixture was diluted with water and extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The combined ethyl acetate was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated at reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel and eluted with 20% EtOAc/hexane to give 1.17 g (97% yield) of 4-methoxy-2-methyl-1- (1-naphthalenyl)methyl!-1H-indole.

Analyses for C₂₁ H₁₉ NO: Calculated: C, 83.69; H, 6.35; N, 4.65 Found: C, 83.71; H, 6.45; N, 4.41.

Part B. Preparation of 4-Hydroxy-2-methyl-1- (1-naphthalenyl)methyl!-1H-indole

By the method used in Example 1, Part D, 1.17 g (3.9 mmol) of 4-methoxy-2-methyl-1- (1-naphthalenyl)methyl!-1H-indole was O-demethylated by treating it with 15.6 mL of 1M BBr₃ /CH₂ Cl₂ to give a material that was chromatographed on silica gel (eluted with 20% EtOAc/hexane then 50% EtOAc/hexane) to give 796 mg (71% yield) of 4-hydroxy-2-methyl-1- (1-naphthalenyl)methyl!-1H-indole.

Part C. Preparation of 2-Methyl-1- (1-naphthalenyl)methyl!-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester.

Using the procedure described in Example 1, Part E, 4-hydroxy-2-methyl-1- (1-naphthalenyl)methyl!-1H-indole (796 mg, 2.8 mmol) was treated with 112 mg (2.8 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil and then 0.27 mL (0.27 mmol) of methyl bromoacetate. The product was purified by chromatography over silica gel eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane to give 450 mg (45% yield) of 2-methyl-1- (1-naphthalenyl)methyl!-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester, 167°-171° C.

Analyses for C₂₃ H₂₁ NO₃ : Calculated: C, 76.86; H, 5.89; N, 3.90 Found: C, 77.95; H, 6.25; N, 3.72.

Part D. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-methyl-1- (1-naphthalenyl)methyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester.

Using the procedure in Example 1, Part F, 445 g (1.24 mmol) of 2-methyl-1- (1-naphthalenyl)methyl!-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester was reacted first with 0.11 mL (1.24 mmol) of oxalyl chloride and then excess ammonia to give a white solid. This was stirred with ethyl acetate and water. The EtOAc was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated at reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with ethyl acetate to give 409 mg of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-methyl-1- (1-naphthalenyl)methyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester, mp 188°-190° C.

Analyses for C₂₅ H₂₂ N₂ O₅ : Calculated: C, 69,76; H, 5.15; N, 6.51 Found: C, 69.94; H, 5.28; N, 6.55.

Part E. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-methyl-1- (1-naphthalenyl)methyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid

A mixture of 402 mg (0.93 mmol) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-methyl-1- (1-naphthalenyl)methyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, 5 mL of 1N NaOH and 15 mL of MeOH was heated to maintain reflux for 0.5 hours, stirred at room temperature for 0.5 h and concentrated at reduced pressure. The residue was taken up in ethyl acetate and water, the aqueous layer separated and made acidic to pH 2-3 with 1N HCl. The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate, the ethyl acetate was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄), and concentrated at reduced pressure. The residue was stirred with ether/methylene chloride and filtered to give 284 mg (73% yield) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-methyl-1- (1-naphthalenyl)methyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, mp, 233°-235° C.

Analyses for C₂₄ H₂₀ N₂ O₅ : Calculated: C, 69.22; H, 4.84; N, 6.73 Found: C, 68.98; H, 5.01; N, 6.36.

Example 9 Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, a compound represented by the formula ##STR36## Part A. Preparation of 2-Ethyl-4-methoxy-1H-indole

A solution of 140 mL (0.18 mol) of 1.3M sec-butyl lithium in cyclohexane was added slowly to N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3-methoxy-2-methylaniline (21.3 g, 0.09 mol) in 250 mL of THF keeping the temperature below -40° C. with a dry ice-ethanol bath. The bath was removed and the temperature allowed to rise to 0° C. and then the bath replaced. After the temperature had cooled to -60° C., 18.5 g (0.18 mol) of N-methoxy-N-methylpropanamide in an equal volume of THF was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred 5 minutes, the cooling bath removed and stirred an additional 18 hours. It was then poured into a mixture of 300 mL of ether and 400 mL of 0.5N HCl. The organic layer was separated, washed with water, brine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated at reduced pressure to give 25.5 g of a crude of 1- 2-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-6-methoxyphenyl!-2-butanone. This material was dissolved in 250 mL of methylene chloride and 50 mL of trifluoroacetic acid and stirred for a total of 17 hours. The mixture was concentrated at reduced pressure and ethyl acetate and water added to the remaining oil. The ethyl acetate was separated, washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated. The residue was chromatographed three times on silica eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane to give 13.9 g of 2-ethyl-4-methoxy-1H-indole.

Analyses for C₁₁ H₁₃ NO: Calculated: C, 75.40; H, 7.48; N, 7.99 Found: C, 74.41; H, 7.64; N, 7.97.

Part B. Preparation of 2-Ethyl-4-methoxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole

2-Ethyl-4-methoxy-1H-indole (4.2 g, 24 mmol) was dissolved in 30 mL of DMF and 960 mg (24 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil was added. After 1.5 hours, 2.9 mL (24 mmol) of benzyl bromide was added. After 4 hours, the mixture was diluted with water and extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The combined ethyl acetate was washed with brine, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated at reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel and eluted with 20% EtOAc/hexane to give 3.1 g (49% yield) of 2-ethyl-4-methoxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole.

Part C. Preparation of 2-Ethyl-4-hydroxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole

By the method used in Example 1, Part D, 3.1 g 11.7 mmol of 2ethyl-4-methoxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole was O-demethylated by treating it with 48.6 mL of 1M BBr₃ /CH₂ Cl₂ to give a material that was chromatographed on silica gel (eluted with 20% EtOAc/hexane) to give 1.58 g (54% yield) of 2-ethyl-4-hydroxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole, mp, 86°-90° C.

Analyses for C₁₇ H₁₇ NO: Calculated: C, 81.24; H, 6.82; N, 5.57 Found: C, 81.08; H, 6.92; N, 5.41.

Part D. Preparation of 2-Ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester

Using the procedure described in Example 1, Part E, 2-ethyl-4-hydroxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole (1.56 g, 6.2 mmol) was treated with 248 mg (6.2 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil and then 0.6 mL (6.2 mmol) of methyl bromoacetate. The product was purified by chromatography over silica gel eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane, to give 1.37 g (69% yield) of 2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester, 89°-92° C.

Analyses for C₂₀ H₂₁ NO₃ : Calculated: C, 74.28; H, 6.55; N, 4.33 Found: C, 74.03; H, 6.49; N, 4.60.

Part E. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester

Using the procedure in Example 1, Part F, 1.36 g (4.2 mmol) of 2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester was reacted first with 0.4 mL (4.2 mmol) of oxalyl chloride and then excess ammonia to give a white solid. This was stirred with ethyl acetate and the insoluble material separated and dried to give 1.37 g of a mixture of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester and ammonium chloride. This mixture melted at 172°-187° C.

Part F. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid

A mixture of 788 mg (2 mmol) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester, 10 mL of in NaOH and 30 mL of MeOH was heated to maintain reflux for 0.5 hour, stirred at room temperature for 0.5 hour and concentrated at reduced pressure. The residue was taken up in ethyl acetate and water, the aqueous layer separated and made acidic to pH 2-3 with 1N HCl. The precipitate was filtered and washed with ethyl acetate to give 559 mg (74% yield) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, mp, 230°-234° C.

Analyses for C₂₁ H₂₀ N₂ O₅ : Calculated: C, 65.96; H, 5.80; N, 7.33 Found: C, 66.95; H, 5.55; N, 6.99.

Example 10 Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1- (3-chlorophenyl)methyl!-2-ethyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, a compound represented by the formula ##STR37## Part A. Preparation of 1- (3-Chlorophenyl)methyl!-2-ethyl-4-methoxy-1H-indole

Using the procedure in Example 1, Part C, 1.61 g (9.2 mmol) of 2-ethyl-4-methoxy-1H-indole was reacted with 368 mg (9.2 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil and then 1.2 mL (9.2 mmol) of 3-chlorobenzyl chloride in 10 mL of DMF to give a 1.34 g (49% yield) of 1- (3-chlorophenyl)methyl!-2-ethyl-4-methoxy-1H-indole after chromatography on silica gel(eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane).

Part B. Preparation of 1- (3-Chlorophenyl)methyl!-2-ethyl-4-hydroxy-1H-indole

By the same procedure as in Example 1, Part D, 1.34 g (4.5 mmol) of 1- (3-chlorophenyl)methyl!-2-ethyl-4-hydroxy-1H-indole was O-demethylated using 36 mL of 1N BBr₃ to give after chromatography of silica gel (eluted with 5%MeOH/EtOAc 512 mg (40% yield) of 1- (3-chlorophenyl)methyl!-2-ethyl-4-hydroxy-1H-indole.

Part C. Preparation of 1- (3-Chlorophenyl)methyl!-2-ethyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester

Using the procedure described in Example 1, Part E, 1- (3-chlorophenyl)methyl!-2-ethyl-4-hydroxy-1H-indole (512 mg, 1.8 mmol) was treated with 72 mg (1.8 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil and then 0.17 mL (1.8 mmol) of methyl bromoacetate. The product was purified by chromatography over silica gel eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane, to give 418 mg (65% yield) of 1- (3-chlorophenyl)methyl!-2-ethyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester, mp, 85°-90° C.

Analyses for C₂₀ H₂₀ ClNO₃ : Calculated: C, 67.13; H, 5.63; N, 3.91 Found: C, 64.41; H, 5.63; N, 3.10.

Part D. 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)1- (3-chlorophenyl)methyl!-2-ethyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester

Using the procedure in Example 1, Part F, 410 mg (1.15 mmol of 1- (3-chlorophenyl)methyl!-2-ethyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester was reacted first with 0.1 mL (1.15 mmol) of oxalyl chloride and then excess ammonia to give a white solid. This solid was stirred with ethyl acetate and the insoluble material separated and dried to give 424 mg of a mixture of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)1- (3-chlorophenyl)methyl!-2-ethyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester and ammonium chloride. This mixture melted at 173°-185° C.

Part E. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)1- (3-chlorophenyl)methyl!-2-ethyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid

Using the procedure described in Example 2, Part E, 418 mg (1 mmol) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)1- (3-chlorophenyl)methyl!-2-ethyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester was hydrolyzed in 5 mL of 1N NaOH and 15 mL of MeOH to give 268 mg (61% yield) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)1- (3-chlorophenyl)methyl!-2-ethyl-1H-indol -4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, sodium salt, mp, >265° C.

Analyses for C₂₁ H₁₈ ClN₂ O₅ Na: Calculated: C, 57.74; H, 4.15; N, 6.41 Found: C, 58.36; H, 4.61; N, 5.57.

There was also obtained 60 mg (14% yield) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)1- (3-chlorophenyl)methyl!-2-ethyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, mp, 210°-212° C.

Analyses for C₂₁ H₁₉ ClN₂ O₅ : Calculated: C, 60.88; H, 4.61; N, 6.75 Found: C, 60.53; H, 4.78; N, 6.59.

Example 11 Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-ethyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, a compound represented by the formula ##STR38## Part A. Preparation of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-ethyl-4-methoxy-1H-indole

Using the procedure described in Example 1, Part C, 1.75 g (10 mmol) of 2-ethyl-4-methoxy-1H-indole was reacted with 400 mg (10 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil and then 1.83 mL (10 mmol) of 2-(bromomethyl)biphenyl to give after chromatography on silica (eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane) 1.25 g (37% yield) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-ethyl-4-methoxy-1H-indole as an oil.

Part B. Preparation of 1-( 1,1'-Biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-ethyl-4-hydroxy-1H-indole

By the method used in Example 1, Part D, 911 mg (2.6 mmol) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-ethyl-4-methoxy-1H-indole was O-demethylated by treating it with 10 mL of 1M BBr₃ /CH₂ Cl₂. The crude product was chromatographed on silica gel and eluted with 20% EtOAc/hexane to give 590 mg (69% yield) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-ethyl-4-hydroxy-1H-indole as an oil.

Part C. Preparation of 1-( 1,1'-Biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-ethyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester

1-( 1,1'-Biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-ethyl-4-hydroxy-1H-indole (911 mg, 2.8 mmol) was alkylated by treating with 0.26 mL (2.8 mmol) of methyl bromoacetate and 111 mg (2.8 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil in DMF as described in Example 1, Part E. The product was purified by chromatography over silica gel eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane, to give 655 mg (59% yield) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-ethyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester.

Part D. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-ethyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester

Oxalyl chloride (0.12 mL, 1.4 mmol) was added to 555 mg (1.4 mmol) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-ethyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester in 10 mL of methylene chloride and the mixture stirred for 2.5 hours at room temperature. The mixture was concentrated at reduced pressure, the residue redissolved in 10 mL of methylene chloride, anhydrous ammonia bubbled in for 0.25 hours and the precipitate filtered. This precipitate was chromatographed on silica gel and eluted with EtOAc to give 605 mg (92% yield) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-ethyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester.

Part E. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-ethyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid

A mixture of 600 mg (1.3 mmol) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-ethyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester in 8 mL of 1N NaOH and 20 mL of MeOH was heated to maintain reflux for 0.67 hours, concentrated at reduced pressure and the residue taken up in EtOAc/water. The aqueous layer was separated, made acidic with 1N HCl and extracted with EtOAc. The EtOAc solution was dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated and the residue crystallized from MeOH to give 352 mg (59% yield) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-ethyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, mp, 211°-214° C.

Analyses for C₂₇ H₂₄ N₂ O₅ : Calculated: C, 71.04; H, 5.30; N, 6.14 Found: C, 71.26; H, 5.54; N, 5.98.

Example 12 Preparation of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-propyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, a compound represented by the formula ##STR39## Part A. Preparation of 4-Methoxy-2-propyl-1H-indole

A solution of 50 mL (65 mmol) of 1.3M sec-butyl lithium in cyclohexane was added slowly to N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3-methoxy-2-methylaniline (7.7 g, 32.5 mmol) in 100 mL. of THF keeping the temperature below -40° C. with a dry ice-ethanol bath. The bath was removed and the temperature allowed to rise to -10° C. and then the bath replaced. After the temperature had cooled to -60° C., 4.3 g (32.5 mmol) of N-methoxy-N-methylbutanamide in an equal volume of THF was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred 1 hour, the cooling bath removed and stirred an additional 22 hours. It was then poured into a mixture of 200 mL of ether and 200 mL of 0.5N HCl. The organic layer was separated, washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, and concentrated at reduced pressure to give 9.9 g of crude 1- 2-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-6-methoxyphenyl!-2-pentanone. This material was dissolved in 100 mL of methylene chloride and 20 mL of trifluoroacetic acid and stirred for a total of 23 hours. The mixture was washed with water, dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated at reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane to give 2.19 g of 4-methoxy-2-propyl-1H-indole as an oil.

Analysis for C₁₂ H₁₅ NO: Calculated: C, 76.16; H, 7.99; N, 7.40 Found: C, 74.18; H, 8.10; N, 6.51.

Part B. Preparation of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-4-methoxy-2-propyl-1H-indole

Using the procedure described in Example 1, Part C, 945 mg (5 mmol) of 4-methoxy-2-propyl-1H-indole was reacted with 200 mg (5 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil and then 0.92 mL (5 mmol) of 2-(bromomethyl)biphenyl to give after chromatography on silica gel (eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane) 1.16 g (65% yield) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-4-methoxy-2-propyl-1H-indole as an oil.

Part C. Preparation of 1-( 1,1'-Biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-propyl-1H-indole

By the method used in Example 1, Part D, 1.16 g (3.27 mmol) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-4-methoxy-2-propyl-1H-indole was O-demethylated by treating it with 13 mL of 1M BBr₃ /CH₂ Cl₂. The crude product was chromatographed on silica gel and eluted with 20% EtOAc/hexane to give 794 mg (71% yield) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-propyl-1H-indole as an oil.

Part D. Preparation of 1-( 1,1'-Biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-propyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester

1-( 1,1'-Biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-propyl-1H-indole (794 mg, 2.8 mmol) was alkylated by treating with 0.22 mL (2.3 mmol) of methyl bromoacetate and 93 mg (2.3 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil in DMF as described in Example 1, Part E. The product was purified by chromatography over silica gel eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane, to give 533 mg (56% yield) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-propyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester.

Part E. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1,'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-propyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester.

Oxalyl chloride (0.11 mL, 1.3 mmol) was added to 533 mg (1.3 mmol) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-propyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester in 10 mL of methylene chloride and the mixture stirred for 2.0 hours at room temperature. The mixture was concentrated at reduced pressure, the residue redissolved in 10 mL of methylene chloride, anhydrous ammonia bubbled in for 0.25 hours and the mixture concentrated at reduced pressure. The residue was taken up in EtOAc/water, the EtOAc separated, washed with brine and dried (MgSO₄). After concentrating, the residue was chromatographed on silica and eluted with EtOAc to give 440 mg (70% yield) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-propyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester.

Part F. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-propyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid

A mixture of 440 mg (0.9 mmol) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-propyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester in 5 mL of 1N NaOH and 15 mL of MeOH was stirred for 0.75 hours, concentrated at reduced pressure and the residue taken up in EtOAc/water. The aqueous layer was separated, made acidic with 1N HCl to pH 2-3 and extracted with EtOAc. The EtOAc solution was dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to give 374 mg (88% yield) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-propyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid.

Analyses for C₂₈ H₂₆ N₂ O₅ : Calculated: C, 71.47; H, 5.57; N, 5.95 Found: C, 69.58; H, 5.65; N, 5.53.

Example 13 Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, a compound represented by the formula ##STR40## Part A. Preparation of 2-Cyclopropyl-4-methoxy-1H-indole

Using the procedure described in Example 9, Part A, 100 mL (130 mmol) of 1.3M sec-butyl lithium in cyclohexane was reacted with N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3-methoxy-2-methylaniline (15.4 g, 65 mmol) in 100 mL of THF and then with 8.4 g (65 mmol) of N-methoxy-N-methylcyclopropylcarboxamide to give crude 2-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-6-methoxyphenyl!methyl cyclopropyl ketone. This material on treatment with 20 mL of trifluoroacetic acid in 300 mL of methylene chloride for 6 hours gave a material that was chromatographed on silica gel. Eluting with a gradient, toluene→5% EtOAc/toluene, there was obtained 6.4 g (52% yield) of 2-cyclopropyl-4-methoxy-1H-indole as an oil.

Analysis for C₁₂ H₁₃ NO: Calculated: C, 76.98; H, 7.00; N, 7.48 Found: C, 74.33; H, 7.11; N, 6.62.

Part B. Preparation of 2-Cyclopropyl-4-methoxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole

Using the procedure described in Example 1, Part C, 935 mg (5 mmol) of 2-cyclopropoyl-4-methoxy-1H-indole was reacted with 200 mg (5 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil and then 0.6 mL (5 mmol) of benzyl bromide to give after chromatography on silica gel (eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane) 630 mg (45% yield) of 2-cyclopropyl-4-methoxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole as an oil.

Part C. Preparation of 2-Cyclopropyl-4-hydroxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole

By the method used in Example 1, Part D, 630 g (2.3 mmol) of 2-cyclopropyl-4-methoxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole was O-demethylated by treating it with 9 mL of 1M BBr₃ /CH₂ Cl₂. The crude product was chromatographed on silica gel and eluted with 20% EtOAc/hexane to give 316 mg (52% yield) of 2-cyclopropyl-4-hydroxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole as an oil.

Part D. Preparation of 2-Cyclopropyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester

2-Cyclopropyl-4-hydroxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole (316 mg, 1.2 mmol) was alkylated by treating with 0.11 mL (1.2 mmol) of methyl bromoacetate and 48 mg (1.2 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil in DMF as described in Example 1, Part E. The product was purified by chromatography over silica gel eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane, to give 253 mg (63% yield) of 2-cyclopropyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester.

Part E. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester

Oxalyl chloride (0.07 mL, 0.76 mmol) was added to 253 mg (0.76 mmol) of 2-cyclopropyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester in 10 mL of methylene chloride and the mixture stirred for 1.5 hours at room temperature. The mixture was concentrated at reduced pressure, the residue redissolved in 10 mL of methylene chloride, anhydrous ammonia bubbled in for 0.25 hours. A precipitate formed and was separated to give 226 mg of a mixture of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester and ammonium chloride.

Part F. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid

A mixture of 220 mg (0.54 mmol) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester in 5 mL of 1N NaOH and 15 mL of MeOH was heated to maintain reflux for 0.67 hours, concentrated at reduced pressure and the residue taken up in EtOAc/water. The aqueous layer was separated, made acidic with 1N HCl to pH 2-3 and EtOAc added. A precipitate formed and was separated to give 169 mg (80% yield) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, mp, 246°-249° C.

Analyses for C₂₂ H₂₀ N₂ O₅ : Calculated: C, 67.34; H, 5.14; N, 7.14 Found: C, 67.11; H, 5.33; N, 6.86.

Example 14 Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, a compound represented by the formula ##STR41## Part A. Preparation of 1-( 1,1'-Biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-4-methoxy-1H-indole

Using the procedure described in Example 1, Part C, 935 mg (5 mmol) of 2-cyclopropyl-4-methoxy-1H-indole was reacted with 200 mg (5 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil and then 0.92 mL (5 mmol) of 2-(bromomethyl)biphenyl to give after chromatography on silica gel (eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane) 911 mg (52% yield) of 1-( 1,1,-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-4-methoxy-1H-indole as an oil.

Part B. Preparation of 1-( 1,1'-Biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-4-hydroxy-1H-indole

By the method used in Example 1, Part D, 1.25 g (3.7 mmol) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-4-methoxyl-1H-indole was O-demethylated by treating it with 15 mL of 1M BBr₃ /CH₂ Cl₂. The crude product was chromatographed on silica gel and eluted with 20% EtOAc/hexane to give 367 mg (29% yield) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-4-hydroxy-1H-indole as an oil.

Part C. Preparation of 1-( 1,1'-Biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester

1-( 1,1'-Biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-4-hydroxy-1H-indole (367 mg, 1.1 mmol) was alkylated by treating with 0.1 mL (1.1 mmol) of methyl bromoacetate and 43 mg (1.1 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil in DMF as described in Example 1, Part E. The product was purified by chromatography over silica gel eluting with 20% EtOAc/hexane to give 265 mg (59% yield) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester.

Part D. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester.

Oxalyl chloride (0.06 mL, 0.64 mmol) was added to 265 mg (0.64 mmol) of 1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester in 10 mL of methylene chloride and the mixture stirred for 1.5 hours at room temperature. The mixture was concentrated at reduced pressure, the residue redissolved in 10 mL of methylene chloride, anhydrous ammonia bubbled in for 0.25 hours and the mixture concentrated at reduced pressure. The residue was taken up in EtOAc/water, the EtOAc separated, washed with brine and dried (MgSO₄). After concentrating, the residue was chromatographed on silica and eluted with EtOAc to give 181 mg (59% yield) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid methyl ester.

Part E. Preparation of 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid

A mixture of 175 mg (0.36 mmol) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-1H-indol-4-yl!0xy!acetic acid methyl ester in 4 mL of 1N NaOH and 10 mL of MeOH was stirred for 0.5 hours, concentrated at reduced pressure and the residue taken up in EtOAc/water. The aqueous layer was separated, made acidic with 1N HCl to pH 2-3 and extracted with EtOAc. The EtOAc solution was dried (MgSO₄), evaporated and the residue stirred with EtOAc/ether. The insoluble material was filtered to give 105 mg (62% yield) of 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-( 1,1'-biphenyl!-2-ylmethyl)-2-cyclopropyl-1H-indol-4-yl!oxy!acetic acid, mp, 172°-174° C.

Analyses for C₂₈ H₂₄ N₂ O₅ : Calculated: C, 71.78; H, 5.16; N, 5.98 Found: C, 72.08; H, 5.30; N, 5.92.

Example 15 Preparation of 4- 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-5-yl!oxy!butanoic acid, a compound represented by the formula ##STR42## Part A. Preparation of N-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-4-methoxy-2-methylaniline

By the procedure in Example 1, Part A, 13.7 g (0.1 mole) of 4-methoxy-2-methylaniline was reacted with 25 g (0.1145 mol) of di-tert-butyl dicarbonate to give 17.25 g (73% yield) of N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-4-methoxy-2-methylaniline melting at 80°-82° C., after crystallizing from hexane.

Analyses for C₁₃ H₁₉ NO₃ : Calculated: C, 65.80; H, 8.07; N, 5.90 Found: C, 65.86; H, 8.15; N, 5.61.

Part B. Preparation of 1- 2-(tert-Butoxycarbonylamino)-5-methoxyphenyl!-2-butanone

A solution of 1.3M sec-butyl lithium/cyclohexane (81 mL, 0.105 mol) was added slowly to 11.85 g (0.05 mol) of N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-4-methoxy-2-methylaniline in 80 mL of THF while keeping the temperature below -40° C. with a dry ice-ethanol bath. The bath was removed and the temperature allowed to rise to -20° C. and then the bath was replaced. After the temperature had cooled to -60° C., 6.1 g (0.052 mol) of N-methoxy-N-methylpropanamide in an equal volume of THF was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred 1 hour, the cooling bath removed and stirred an additional 1 hour. It was then poured into a mixture of 200 mL of ether and 200 mL of 1N HCl. The organic layer was separated, washed with water, dried over Na₂ SO₄ and concentrated at reduced pressure to give 10.9 g (74% yield) of 1-(2-(tert-butoxycarbonylamino)-5-methoxyphenyl!-2-butanone, melting at 80°-81° C., after chromatography on silica eluting with 5% EtOAc/toluene.

Analyses for C₁₆ H₂₃ NO₄ : Calculated: C, 65.51; H, 7.90; N, 4.77 Found: C, 65.69; H, 7.89; N, 4.90.

Part C. Preparation of 2-Ethyl-5-methoxy-1H-indole

1- 2-(tert-Butoxycarbonylamino)-5-methoxyphenyl!-2-butanone (7.33 g, 0.025 mol) in 120 mL of CH₂ Cl₂ and 20 mL of trifluoroacetic acid was stirred for 20 hours, washed with water, NaHCO₃ solution and the product chromatographed on silica (eluted with 20% EtOAc/hexane) to give 2.54 g (58% yield) of 2-ethyl-5-methoxy-1H-indole as a white solid, mp 49°-50° C.

Analyses for C₁₁ H₁₃ NO: Calculated: C, 75.40; H, 7.48; N, 7.99 Found: C, 75.64; H, 7.61; N, 8.04.

Part D. Preparation of 2-Ethyl-5-methoxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole

2-Ethyl-5-methoxy-1H-indole (5.6 g, 21.5 mmol) was dissolved in 150 mL of DMF and 20 mL of THF and 1.0 g (25 mmol) of 60% sodium hydride was added. After stirring for 0.17 hours, 3.0 mL (25 mmol) of benzyl bromide was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 hours, diluted with water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate solution was washed with water, saturated NaCl solution, and dried (Na₂ SO₄). The EtOAc was evaporated and the residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with a gradient, 5% EtOAc/hexane→15% EtOAc/hexane to give 4.6 g (82% yield) of 2-ethyl-5-methoxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole.

Part E. Preparation of 2-Ethyl-5-methoxy-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole-3-glyoxylamide

Oxalyl chloride (0.8 mL, 9.2 mmol) was added to 2.1 g (7.9 mmol) of 2-ethyl-5-methoxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole while being cooled to -5° C. The cooling bath was removed, stirring was continued for 1 hour and the mixture added at 0°-5° C. to 150 mL of THF saturated with ammonia. After 0.33 hours, the mixture was diluted with water, the organic layer separated, washed with saturated NaCl solution and dried (NaSO₄). After concentrating at reduced pressure, the residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting first with methylene chloride and then ether to give 2.1 g (79% yield) of 2-ethyl-5-methoxy-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole-3-glyoxylamide.

Part F. Preparation of 2-Ethyl-5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole-3-glyoxylamide

A solution of 1.3 g (4 mmol) of 2-ethyl-5-methoxy-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole-3-glyoxylamide and 16 mL of 1M BBr₃ /CH₂ Cl₂ in 50 mL of methylene chloride was stirred for 1.5 hours, stirred with water, the organic material separated and washed with brine. After drying, the solution was concentrated at reduced pressure and the residue chromatographed on silica gel. The material was eluted with a gradient, 1% MeOH/CH₂ Cl₂ →3% MeOH/CH₂ Cl₂, to give after recrystallizing from methylene chloride-ethanol 270 mg (21% yield) of 2-ethyl-5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole-3-glyoxylamide, mp 224°-225° C.

Analyses for C₁₉ H₁₈ N₂ O₃ : Calculated: C, 70.70; H, 5.63; N, 8.69 Found: C, 70.99; H, 5.56; N, 8.43.

Part G. Preparation of 4- 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-5-yl!oxy!butanoic acid tert-butyl ester

2-Ethyl-5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole-3-glyoxylamide (355 mg, 1.1 mmol) was dissolved in 10 mL of THF and 20 mL of DMF and 50 mg (1.2 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil was added. After stirring for 0.17 hours, 290 mg (1.3 mmol) of tert-butyl 4-bromobutyrate was added and stirring maintained for 4.75 hours. The mixture was diluted with water, extracted with EtOAc and the EtOAc washed with water, saturated NaCl solution and dried (Na₂ SO₄). After concentrating at reduced pressure, the residue was chromatographed on silica gel and eluted with a gradient, CH₂ Cl₂ →2% MeOH/CH₂ Cl₂ to give after crystallizing from ether-hexane 460 mg (90% yield) of 4- 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-5-yl!oxy!butanoic acid tert-butyl ester, mp 101°-104° C.

Analyses for C₂₇ H₃₂ N₂ O₅ : Calculated: C, 69.81; H, 6.94; N, 6.03 Found: C, 70.54; H, 7.02; N, 6.37.

Part H. Preparation of 4- 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-5-yl!oxy!butanoic acid

A solution of 450 mg (0.97 mmol) of 4- 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-5-yl!oxy!butanoic acid tert-butyl ester in 75 mL of methylene chloride and 1 mL of trifluoroacetic acid was stirred-at room temperature for 2.25 hours and concentrated at reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel and eluted with EtOAc to give 250 mg (63% yield) of 4- 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-5-yl!oxy!butanoic acid, mp 173°-175° C.

Analyses for C₂₃ H₂₄ N₂ O₅ : Calculated: C, 67.63; H, 5.92; N, 6.86 Found: C, 67.09; H, 6.00; N, 6.76.

Example 16 Preparation of 4- 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-5-yl!oxy!butanoic acid, a compound represented by the formula ##STR43## Part A. 5-Hydroxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole

5-Methoxy-1H-indole (5.6 g, 21.5 mmol) was reacted with 1.0 g (25 mmol) of 60% sodium hydride and then 3.0 mL (25 mmol) of benzyl bromide by the method described in Example 12, Part D to give crude 5-methoxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole. This material was dissolved in 250 mL of methylene chloride, cooled to -5° C., 50 mL of 1M BBr₃ /CH₂ Cl₂ added, the cooling bath removed and the mixture stirred for 1.75 hours. Ice water was added and the mixture stirred. The organic layer was separated, washed with saturated NaCl, dried (Na₂ SO₄), and concentrated at reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel and eluted with 20% ether/hexane→ether to give 870 mg (19% overall yield) of crude 5-hydroxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole.

Part B. Preparation of 4- 1-(Phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-5-yl!oxy!butanoic acid ethyl ester

A solution of 850 mg (4.0 mmol) of 5-hydroxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole in 75 mL of DMF and 20 mL of THF was treated with 200 mg (5.0 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil and after stirring for 0.17 hours, 0.7 mL (4.9 mmol) of ethyl 4-bromobutyrate was added. After 2.75 hours, the mixture was diluted with water and extracted with EtOAc. The EtOAc solution was washed with water, saturated NaCl solution, dried (Na₂ SO₄) and concentrated at reduced pressure. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel and the 545 mg (40% yield) of 4- 1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-5-yl!oxy!butanoic acid ethyl ester by eluting with a gradient, 15% ether/hexane→50% ether/hexane.

Part C. Preparation of 4- 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-5-yl!oxy!butanoic acid ethyl ester

Oxalyl chloride (0.15 mL, 1.7 mmol) was added to 545 mg (1.6 mmol) of 4- 1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-5-yl!oxy!butanoic acid ethyl ester in 40 mL of methylene chloride while cooling at -5° C. The cooling bath was removed, the mixture stirred for 0.83 hours and added to 75 mL of THF saturated with ammonia gas at 0°-5° C. After 0.25 hours, the mixture was diluted with water and extracted with methylene chloride. This solution was washed with saturated NaCl, dried (Na₂ SO₄), and concentrated at reduced pressure. The residue was crystallized from methylene chloride-ethanol to give 490 mg (75% yield) of 4- 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-5-yl!oxy!butanoic acid ethyl ester, mp, 168°-170° C.

Analyses for C₂₃ H₂₄ N₂ O₅ : Calculated: C, 67.63; H, 5.92; N, 6.86 Found: C, 67.60; H, 6.13; N, 6.93.

Part D. Preparation of 4- 3-(2-Amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-5-yl!oxy!butanoic acid

A mixture of 450 mg (1.1 mmol) of 4- 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-5-yl!oxy!butanoic acid ethyl ester in 450 mL of THF and 50 mL of 5N HCl was stirred for 16 hours, diluted with EtOAc and washed with water, saturated NaCl solution and dried (Na₂ SO₄). After concentrating at reduced pressure, the residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting first with 2% MeOH/CH₂ Cl₂ and then EtOAc to give after crystallization from MeOH--CH₂ Cl₂ 190 mg (45% yield) of 4- 3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-5-yl!oxy!butanoic acid, mp, 193°-195° C.

Analyses for C₂₁ H₂₀ N₂ O₅ : Calculated: C, 66.31; H, 5.30; N, 7.36 Found: C, 60.82; H, 5.08; N, 6.64; residue, 1.39%.

Example 17 Preparation of 3-(Aminooxoacetyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!amino!acetic acid, a compound represented by the formula ##STR44## Part A. Preparation of 1-Phenylmethyl-2-ethyl-4-nitro-1H-indole

2-Ethyl-4-nitro-1H-indole (4.75 g, 25 mmol) was added to a mixture of 1.0 g (25 mmol) of 60% NaH/mineral oil (washed with hexane before adding DMF) in 40 ml DMF. After 45 minutes, 3.0 ml (25 mmol) of benzyl bromide was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for four hours, diluted with water, and extracted with EtOAc. The EtOAc solution was washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed on silica gel eluting with 20% EtOAc/Hexane to give 6.36 g (91%) of 1-Phenylmethyl-2-ethyl-4-nitro-1H-indole as an oil.

Analyses for C₁₇ H₁₆ N₂ O₂ ; Calculated: C, 72.84; H, 5.75; N, 9.99 Found: C, 72.67; H, 5.86; N, 9.69

Part B. Preparation of 2-Ethyl-4-Nitro-α-oxo-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole-3-acetamide

Oxalyl chloride (1.98 ml, 22.7 mmol) was added to 6.36 g (22.7 mmol) of 1-Phenylmethyl-2-ethyl-4-nitro-1H-indole in 30 ml of CH₂ Cl₂ and the mixture stirred for 7.5 hours. Another 0.5 ml (5.7 mmol) of oxalyl chloride was then added and stirred an additional 16.5 hours. The mixture was concentrated at reduced pressure, the residue redissolved in 30 ml CH₂ Cl₂, and NH₃ gas bubbled in for 0.25 hours. The mixture was evaporated in vacuo and the residue stirred with EtOAc and H₂ O. The EtOAc layer was washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel eluting with 20% EtOAc/Hexane to give 6.0 g (75%) of 2-Ethyl-4-Nitro-α-oxo-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole-3-acetamide melting at 207°-208° C.

Analyses for C₁₉ H₁₇ N₃ O₄ : Calculated: C, 64.95; H, 4.88; N, 11.96 Found: C, 65.14; H, 4.98; N, 12.11

Part C. Preparation of 4-Amino-2-Ethyl-α-oxo-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole-3-Acetamide

A solution of 6.0 g (17.1 mmol) of 2-Ethyl-4-Nitro-α-oxo-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole-3-acetamide in 140 ml of 1:1 THF:EtOH containing 1,0 g of 5% Pt/BaSO₄ was hydrogenated at room temperature and 60 psi (4.22 Kg/cm²) for four hours. The catalyst was filtered and the filtrate evaporated in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel eluting with Hexane/50 to 100% EtOAC to give 1.66 g (30%) of 4-Amino-2-Ethyl-α-oxo-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole-3-Acetamide melting at 140°-144° C.

Analyses for C₁₉ H₁₉ N₃ O₂ : Calculated: C, 71.01; H, 5.96; N, 13.08 Found: C, 68.50; H, 5.93; N, 11.88

Part D. Preparation of 3-(Aminooxoacetyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!amino!acetic acid methyl ester

Methyl bromoacetate (0.07 ml, 0.78 mmol) was added to 250 mg (0.78 mmol) of 4-Amino-2-Ethyl-α-oxo-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole-3-Acetamide in 4 ml of DMF, stirred at 60° C. for 0.5 hour, and then at room temperature for 20 hours. The mixture was diluted with water and extracted with EtOAc. The EtOAC solution was washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel eluting with Hexane/50 to 100% EtOAc to give 196 mg (64%) of 3-(Aminooxoacetyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!amino!acetic acid methyl ester melting at 188°-193° C.

Analyses for C₂₂ H₂₃ N₃ O₄ : Calculated: C, 67.16; H, 5.89; N, 10.68 Found: C, 67.66; N, 5.71; N, 9.78

Part E. Preparation of 3-(Aminooxoacetyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!amino!acetic acid

A mixture of 190 mg (0.48 mmol) of 3-(Aminooxoacetyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!amino!acetic acid methyl ester, 5 ml of 1N NaOH, and 15 ml of MeOH was refluxed 0.33 hour, cooled, and stirred at room temperature for 1 hour. EtOAc and aqueous HCl were added and the EtOAc layer was washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was crystallized from MeOH to give 96 mg (53%) of 3-(Aminooxoacetyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl!amino!acetic acid melting at 151°-157° C.

Analyses for C₂₁ H₂₁ N₃ O₄ : Calculated: C, 66.48; H, 5.58; N, 11.08 Found: C, 66.30; H, 5.61; N, 10.80

Assay Experiments Assay Example 1

The following chromogenic assay procedure was used to identify and evaluate inhibitors of recombinant human secreted phospholipase A₂. The assay described herein has been adapted for high volume screening using 96 well microtiter plates. A general description of this assay method is found in the article, "

Analysis of Human Synovial Fluid Phospholipase A₂ on Short Chain Phosphatidylcholine-Mixed Micelles: Development of a Spectrophotometric Assay Suitable for a Microtiterplate Reader", by Laure J. Reynolds, Lori L. Hughes, and Edward A Dennis, Analytical Biochemistry, 204, pp. 190-197, 1992 (the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference):

Reagents

REACTION BUFFER

CaCl2.2H2O (1.47 g/L)

KCl (7.455 g/L)

Bovine Serum Albumin (fatty acid free) (1 g/L)

(Sigma A-7030, product of Sigma Chemical Co. St. Louis Mo., USA)

TRIS HCl (3.94 g/L)

pH 7.5 (adjust with NaOH)

ENZYME BUFFER

0.05 NaOAc.3H2O, pH 4.5

0.2 NaCl

Adjust pH to 4.5 with acetic acid

DTNB--5,5'-dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoic acid

RACEMIC DIHEPTANOYL THIO--PC

racemic 1,2-bis(heptanoylthio)-1,2-dideoxy-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine

TRITON X-100™ prepare at 6.249 mg/ml in reaction buffer to equal 10 uM.

REACTION MIXTURE

A measured volume of racemic dipheptanoyl thio PC supplied in chloroform at a concentration of 100 mg/ml is taken to dryness and redissolved in 10 millimolar TRITON X-100™ nonionic detergent aqueous solution. Reaction Buffer is added to the solution, then DTNB to give the Reaction Mixture.

The reaction mixture thus obtained contains 1 mM diheptanoly thio-PC substrate, 0.29 mm Triton X-100™ detergent, and 0.12 mm DTMB in a buffered aqueous solution at pH 7.5.

Assay Procedure

1. Add 0.2 ml reaction mixture to all wells;

2. Add 10 ul test compound (or solvent blank) to appropriate wells, mix 20 seconds;

3. Add 50 nanograms of sPLA₂ (10 microliters) to appropriate wells;

4. Incubate plate at 40° C. for 30 minutes;

5. Read absorbance of wells at 405 nanometers with an automatic plate reader.

All compounds were tested in triplicate. Typically, compounds were tested at a final concentration of 5 ug/ml. Compounds were considered active when they exhibited 40% inhibition or greater compared to uninhibited control reactions When measured at 405 nanometers. Lack of color development at 405 nanometers evidenced inhibition. Compounds initially found to be active were reassayed to confirm their activity and, if sufficiently active, IC₅₀ values were determined. Typically, the IC₅₀ values (see, Table I, below) were determined by diluting test compound serially two-fold such that the final concentration in the reaction ranged from 45 ug/mL to 0.35 ug/ml. More potent inhibitors required significantly greater dilution. In all cases, % inhibition measured at 405 nanometers generated by enzyme reactions containing inhibitors relative to the uninhibited control reactions was determined. Each sample was titrated in triplicate and result values were averaged for plotting and calculation of IC₅₀ values. IC₅₀ were determined by plotting log concentration versus inhibition values in the range from 10-90% inhibition.

Results of Human Secreted Phospholipase A₂ Inhibition Tests for 1H-indole-3-glyoxylamides

                  TABLE I                                                          ______________________________________                                                      Inhibition of human secreted                                      Compound of  PLA.sub.2 IC50 ± mean deviation                                Example No.  (3-4 tests)                                                       ______________________________________                                         1            10.67 ± 5.51 nM                                                2             9.00 ± 1.73 nM                                                3             5.33 ± 1.15 nM                                                4             9.69 ± 1.14 nM                                                5             49.00 ± 11.53 nM                                              6             6.00 ± 1.00 nM                                                7             6.00 ± 1.00 nM                                                8            32.75 ± 7.04 nM                                                9             9.00 ± 1.73 nM                                                10            6.67 ± 2.89 nM                                                11            4.33 ± 2.31 nM                                                12            82.23 ± 18.01 nM                                              13            27.60 ± 13.07 nM                                              14            5.57 ± 2.89 nM                                                15           210 ± 60 nM                                                    16            62,010 ± 3750 nM                                              17           1148 ± 120 nM                                                  ______________________________________                                    

The compounds of Examples 1 to 15 are highly active in inhibiting sPLA₂. The compound of Example 16 (having its acidic substituent in the 5 position together with having the non-preferred hydrogen at the 2 position of the indole nucleus, viz., R₂ in formula I) is much less active.

Assay Example 2

Method

Male Hartley strain guinea pigs (500-700 g) were killed by cervical dislocation and their heart and lungs removed intact and placed in aerated (95% O₂ :5% CO₂) Krebs buffer. Dorsal pleural strips (4×1×25 mm) were dissected from intact parenchymal segments (8×4×25 mm) cut parallel to the outer edge of the lower lung lobes. Two adjacent pleural strips, obtained from a single lobe and representing a single tissue sample, were tied at either end and independently attached to a metal support rod. One rod was attached to a Grass force-displacement transducer (Model FTO3C, product of Grass Medical Instruments Co., Quincy, Mass., USA). Changes in isometric tension were displayed on a monitor and thermal recorder (product of Modular instruments, Malvern, Pa.). All tissues were placed in 10 ml jacketed tissue baths maintained at 37° C. The tissue baths were continuously aerated and contained a modified Krebs solution of the following composition (millimolar) NaCl, 118.2; KCl, 4.6; CaCl₂.2H₂ O, 2.5; MgSO₄.7H₂ O, 1.2; NaHCO₃, 24.8; KH₂ PO₄, 1.0; and dextrose, 10.0. Pleural strips from the opposite lobes of the lung were used for paired experiments. Preliminary data generated from tension/response curves demonstrated that resting tension of 800 mg was optimal. The tissues were allowed to equilibrate for 45 min. as the bath fluid was changed periodically.

Cumulative concentration-response curves

initially tissues were challenged 3 times with KCl (40 mM) to test tissue viability and to obtain a consistent response. After recording the maximal response to KCl, the tissues were washed and allowed to return to baseline before the next challenge. Cumulative concentration-response curves were obtained from pleural strips by increasing the agonist concentration (sPLA₂) in the tissue bath by half-log₁₀ increments while the previous concentration remained in contact with the tissues (Ref.1, supra.) Agonist concentration was increased after reaching the plateau of the contraction elicited by the preceding concentration. One concentration-response curve was obtained from each tissue. To minimize variability between tissues obtained from different animals, contractile responses were expressed as a percentage of the maximal response obtained with the final KCl challenge. When studying the effects of various drugs on the contractile effects of sPLA₂, the compounds and their respective vehicles were added to the tissues 30 min. prior to starting the sPLA₂ concentration-response curves.

Statistical analysis

Data from different experiments were pooled and presented as a percentage of the maximal KCl responses (mean±S.E.). To estimate the drug induced rightward shifts in the concentration response curves, the curves were analyzed simultaneously using statistical nonlinear modeling methods similar to those described by Waud (1976), Equation 26, p. 163, (Ref.2). The model includes four parameters: the maximum tissue response which was assumed the same for each curve, the ED₅₀ for the control curve, the steepness of the curves, and the pA₂, the concentration of antagonist that requires a two-fold increase in agonist to achieve an equivalent response. The Schild slope was determined to be 1, using statistical nonlinear modeling methods similar to those described by Waud (1976), Equation 27, p. 164 (Ref. 2). The Schild slope equal to 1 indicates the model is consistent with the assumptions of a competitive antagonist; therefore, the pA2 may be interpreted as the apparent K_(B), the dissociation constant of the inhibitor.

To estimate the drug-induced suppression of the maximal responses, sPLA₂ responses (10 ug/ml) were determined in the absence and presence of drug, and percent suppression was calculated for each pair of tissues. Representative examples of inhibitory activities are presented in Table 2, below.

Ref. 1--van, J. M.: Cumulative dose-response curves. II. Technique for the making of dose-response curves in isolated organs and the evaluation of drug parameters. Arch. Int. Pharmacodyn. Ther., 143:299-330, 1963.

Ref. 2--Waud, D.:

Analysis of dose-response relationships. in Advances in General and Cellular Pharmacology eds Narahashi, Bianchi 1:145-178, 1976.

Results of Human Secreted Phospholipase A₂ inhibition Tests on guinea pig lung tissue

                  TABLE II                                                         ______________________________________                                                       Tissue test                                                      Compound of   secreted PLA.sub.2                                               Example No.   Apparent K.sub.B nM                                              ______________________________________                                          1            143 ± 67                                                       3 (Na salt)   67.6 ± 11.8                                                   9             88.7 ± 18.2                                                  10 (Na salt)  110 ± 10                                                      11             57 ± 11                                                      14            75 ± 9                                                        ______________________________________                                    

While the present invention has been illustrated above by certain specific embodiments, it is not intended that these specific examples should limit the scope of the invention as described in the appended claims. 

We claim:
 1. A process of preparing ((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)acetic acid, said method comprising the following steps:A) preparing 2-ethyl-4-methoxy-1H-indole by addition of N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3-methoxy-2-methylaniline to a solution of sec-butyl lithium, then addition of N-methoxy-N-methylpropanamide, then addition of trifluoroacetic acid; B) preparing of 2-ethyl-4-methoxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole from the reaction product of step (A) by dissolving 2-ethyl-4-methoxy-1H-indole in dimethylformamide with addition of 60% NaH/mineral oil, then addition of benzyl bromide; C) preparing 2-ethyl-4-hydroxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole from the reaction product of step (B) by reaction with BBr₃ /CH₂ Cl₂ ; D) preparing of ((2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)acetic acid methyl ester by reaction of the reaction product of step (C) with 60% NaH/mineral oil, then reaction with methyl bromoacetate; E) preparing ((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)acetic acid methyl ester by reaction of the reaction product of step (D) with oxalyl chloride, and then addition of excess ammonia; F) preparing ((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)acetic acid dissolving the reaction product of step (E) in a mixture of NaOH and MeOH and heating to effect reaction, then making the reaction mixture acidic with HCl.
 2. A process of preparing ((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)acetic acid, sodium salt, said method comprising the following steps:A) preparing 2-ethyl-4-methoxy-1H-indole by addition of N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3-methoxy-2-methylaniline to a solution of sec-butyl lithium, then addition of N-methoxy-N-methylpropanamide, then addition of trifluoroacetic acid; B) preparing of 2-ethyl-4-methoxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole from the reaction product of step (A) by dissolving 2-ethyl-4-methoxy-1H-indole in dimethylformamide with addition of 60% NaH/mineral oil, then addition of benzyl bromide; C) preparing 2-ethyl-4-hydroxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole from the reaction product of step (B) by reaction with BBr₃ /CH₂ Cl₂ ; D) preparing of ((2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)acetic acid methyl ester by reaction of the reaction product of step (C) with 60% NaH/mineral oil, then reaction with methyl bromoacetate; E) preparing ((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)acetic acid methyl ester by reaction of the reaction product of step (D) with oxalyl chloride, and then addition of excess ammonia; F) preparing ((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)acetic acid, sodium salt by dissolving the reaction product of step (E) in a mixture of NaOH and MeOH.
 3. A process of preparing ((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)acetic acid methyl ester, said method comprising the following steps:A) preparing 2-ethyl-4-methoxy-1H-indole by addition of N-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3-methoxy-2-methylaniline to a solution of sec-butyl lithium, then addition of N-methoxy-N-methylpropanamide, then addition of trifluoroacetic acid; B) preparing of 2-ethyl-4-methoxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole from the reaction product of step (A) by dissolving 2-ethyl-4-methoxy-1H-indole in dimethylformamide with addition of 60% NaH/mineral oil, then addition of benzyl bromide; C) preparing 2-ethyl-4-hydroxy-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indole from the reaction product of step (B) by reaction with BBr₃ /CH₂ Cl₂ ; D) preparing of ((2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)acetic acid methyl ester by reaction of the reaction product of step (C) with 60% NaH/mineral oil, then reaction with methyl bromoacetate; E) preparing ((3-(2-amino-1,2-dioxoethyl)-2-ethyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-indol-4-yl)oxy)acetic acid methyl ester by reaction of the reaction product of step (D) with oxalyl chloride, and then addition of excess ammonia. 